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Zegerid vs. Protonix

Are Zegerid and Protonix the Same Thing?

Zegerid (omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate) and Protonix Delayed-Release Oral Suspension and Delayed-Release Tablets (pantoprazole sodium) are used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Zegerid is also used to treat ulcers and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid production.

Protonix is used for short-term treatment (less than 10 days) of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a history of erosive esophagitis in adult patients.

Both Zegerid and Protonix contain a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI). Zegerid also contains an antacid.

Side effects of Zegerid and Protonix that are similar include headache, stomach or abdominal pain, nausea, gas, and diarrhea.

Side effects of Protonix that are different from Zegerid include injection site reactions (redness, pain, swelling), vomiting, dizziness, joint pain, weight changes, drowsiness, tired feeling, and sleep problems (insomnia).

Both Zegerid and Protonix may interact with blood thinners, methotrexate, iron supplements (including ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfonate), diuretics (water pills), digoxin, HIV/AIDS medicines, antibiotics, and antifungals.

Zegerid may also interact with bosentan, citalopram, clopidogrel, cyclosporine, diazepam or similar sedatives, digitalis, disulfiram, antabuse, rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, St. John's wort, tacrolimus, calcium supplements, and seizure medications.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Zegerid?

Common side effects of Zegerid include:

    • headache stomach or abdominal pain,
    • nausea,
    • gas, or
    • diarrhea.

    Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Zegerid including:

    • swelling of the hands or feet,
    • symptoms of a low magnesium blood level (such as unusually fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, persistent muscle spasms, seizures), or
    • sudden weight gain.

    What Are Possible Side Effects of Protonix?

    Common side effects of Protonix include:

    • injection site reactions (redness, pain, swelling),
    • headache,
    • nausea,
    • vomiting,
    • abdominal or stomach pain,
    • diarrhea,
    • gas,
    • dizziness,
    • joint pain,
    • weight changes,
    • drowsiness,
    • tired feeling, or
    • sleep problems (insomnia).

    What is Zegerid?

    Zegerid (omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate) is a combination of a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) and an antacid used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid production. Zegerid may be available in generic form.

    What is Protonix?

    Protonix IV (pantoprazole sodium) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used for short-term treatment (less than 10 days) of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a history of erosive esophagitis in adult patients.

     

    What Drugs Interact With Zegerid?

    Zegerid may interact with bosentan, citalopram, clopidogrel, cyclosporine, diazepam or similar sedatives, digoxin, digitalis, disulfiram, Antabuse, methotrexate, rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, St. John's wort, tacrolimus, antibiotics, antifungals, blood thinners, calcium supplements or iron supplements (including ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfonate), diuretics (water pills), HIV medicines, or seizure medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Zegerid; it is unknown if Zegerid will harm a fetus. Zegerid can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Breastfeeding while using Zegerid is not recommended.

    What Drugs Interact With Protonix?

    Drug interactions include Valium (diazepam), Nizoral (ketoconazole), Lanoxin (digoxin), Invirase (saquinavir), Viracept (nelfinavir), Reyataz (atazanavir), Plavix (clopidogrel), and Pletal (cilostazol). Protonix should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

     

    How Should Zegerid Be Taken?

    Dose and duration of treatment with Zegerid depends on the condition being treated. For ulcers, GERD, erosive esophagitis and eradication of H. pylori the usual recommended dose for adults is 20-40 mg daily. Follow instructions from your doctor.

    How Should Protonix Be Taken?

    The recommended adult dose of Protonix is 40 mg once daily.

    • Protonix Oral Suspension should be taken 30 minutes before a meal
    • Protonix Oral Suspension should only be taken with applesauce or apple juice 30 minutes before a meal.
    • Protonix Oral Suspension should not be taken in or with water or other liquids, or with other foods.
    • Protonix Oral Suspension should not be chewed or crushed.
    • Protonix Oral Suspension packet should not be divided to make a smaller dose.