Tagamet vs. Prilosec

• Are Prilosec and Tagamet the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Tagamet?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Prilosec?
• What Is Tagamet?
• What Is Prilosec?
• What Drugs Interact with Tagamet?
• What Drugs Interact with Prilosec?
• How Should Tagamet Be Taken?
• How Should Prilosec Be Taken?

Tagamet (cimetidine) and Prilosec (lansoprazole) are used to treat and prevent certain types of ulcer, to treat conditions that cause the stomach to produce too much acid, and to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Prilosec is also used to treat erosive esophagitis and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Tagamet and Prilosec belong to different drug classes. Tagamet is a histamine receptor antagonist and Prilosec is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

Both Tagamet and Prilosec are available over-the-counter (OTC) and as generics.

Side effects of Tagamet and Prilosec that are similar include dizziness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, or constipation.

Side effects of Tagamet that are different from Prilosec include drowsiness, depression, agitation, breast swelling or tenderness (in men), joint or muscle pain, skin rash,

Side effects of Prilosec that are different from Tagamet include stomach pain, fast or irregular heart rate, watery or bloody diarrhea, muscle cramps or weakness, jerky muscle movements, confusion, or feeling jittery.

Both Tagamet and Prilosec may interact with ketoconazole or blood thinners.

Tagamet may also interact with antacids, or antidepressants.

Prilosec may also interact with sucralfate, ampicillin, atazanavir, digoxin, iron, methotrexate, theophylline, or diuretics (water pills).

Common side effects of Tagamet include:

• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• weakness,
• blurred vision,
• dry eyes,
• dry mouth,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• abdominal bloating,
• stuffy nose,
• sinus pain, or
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

Tell your doctor if you experience unlikely but serious side effects of Tagamet Injection including:

• decreased sweating,
• fast/irregular heartbeat,
• mental/mood changes (such as confusion, hallucinations, agitation, nervousness, unusual excitement),
• difficulty urinating, or
• decreased sexual ability.

Common side effects of Prilosec include:

• headache,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• stomach pain,
• gas,
• constipation,
• fever, or
• cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, and sore throat).

Tagamet (cimetidine) is a histamine receptor antagonist used to treat and prevent certain types of ulcer, and to treat conditions that cause the stomach to produce too much acid. Tagamet is also used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus and causes heartburn.

Prilosec (omeprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used for the treatment of conditions such as ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which are all caused by stomach acid.

Tagamet may interact with amantadine, quinidine, antihistamines, decongestants, appetite suppressants, phenothiazines, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. During pregnancy, Tagamet should be used only when prescribed. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Prilosec may interact with digoxin, diuretics (water pills), blood thinners, antifungal medications such as ketoconazole, antibiotics such as ampicillin, iron, or methotrexate, and HIV or AIDS medications such as atazanavir and nelfinavir.

Prilosec may also interact with bosentan, cilostazol, clopidogrel, cyclosporine, diazepam, disulfiram, St. John's wort, tacrolimus, or seizure medications.

Dose of Tagamet depends on the condition being treated and the patient's response to the medication.

The recommended adult oral dose of Prilosec ranges from 20 mg to 60 mg once daily, depending on the condition being treated. For maximal efficacy, Prilosec tablets should be taken before meals, swallowed whole and should not be crushed, chewed or opened.