Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Omeprazole?What Is Pantoprazole?Dosage OverviewEfficacyAlternative Treatment OptionsSide EffectsInteractionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Omeprazole?
What Is Pantoprazole?
Dosage Overview
Efficacy
Alternative Treatment Options
Side Effects
Interactions
Frequently Asked Questions
Omeprazole(brand name: Prilosec) andpantoprazole(brand name: Protonix) are medications belonging to theproton pump inhibitors (PPIs)drug class.Omeprazole can be obtained over-the-counter (OTC) or via prescription (Rx), while pantoprazole is an Rx-only medication.
PPI medications, like omeprazole and pantoprazole, are commonly used alone or alongside other drugs to treatheartburnandstomach ulcers, among other conditions involving excess stomach acid.
For context, reflux-related conditions may occur in adults and children of all ages, affecting about 20% and 10% of the population, respectively.
While omeprazole and pantoprazole are generally similar and comparably effective, they carry some notable distinctions.
As such, this article will provide an in-depth analysis of omeprazole and pantoprazole, comparing their effectiveness, uses, dosages, side effects, and more.
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The OTC version of omeprazole treats frequent heartburn in people 18 and older.It comes in a few different dosage forms, such as:
The Rx version of omeprazole (Prilosec) is FDA-approved to manage more severe conditions requiring a healthcare provider’s diagnosis.
Specifically, Rx omeprazole is approved to:
Rx omeprazole comes in two forms: oral capsules and an oral suspension, both of which are delayed-release formulations.
How Does Omeprazole Work?
Omeprazole reduces normal and excessive stomach acid levels, regardless of the cause. Omeprazole begins working about an hour after taking a dose; however, it takes one to four days of treatment to reach its full benefit.
Note that OTC omeprazole is meant to be taken for up to 14 days. However, healthcare providers may prescribe the drug longer depending on the treated condition.
Unlike omeprazole, pantoprazole is a prescription-only drug. The brand name is Protonix. The FDA approves oral pantoprazole to:
Pantoprazole comes in three forms:
How Does Pantoprazole Work?
Pantoprazole works the same way as omeprazole. It binds to the proton pumps on thestomach liningand blocks the final step of stomach acid production.
This protects the lining of the stomach, esophagus, and intestines from the damaging effects of excessive stomach acid.
Pantoprazole oral tablets and suspension begin working within two and a half hours of taking the medication. The FDA approves these medications for treating GERD as a short-term eight-week treatment.
However, in certain instances, healthcare providers may continue pantoprazole longer to prevent reflux symptoms from returning and to prevent excess stomach acid from interrupting the healing process in theesophagus.
Also, the drug may be prescribed as a long-term treatment for hypersecretory conditions, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Pantoprazole IV, on the other hand, begins working within 15 to 30 minutes of administration.
However, this medication is only approved for very short-term use (seven to 10 days) in adults. It may be given during a hospital stay.
The table below summarizes the typical dosages of omeprazole and pantoprazole oral forms. The treatment lengths vary with the condition, ranging from four to eight weeks.
Your healthcare provider will give specific instructions and may recommend longer-term use. Be sure to take the dosage your healthcare provider prescribes for you:
*1 kilogram (kg) equals about 2.2 pounds (lbs). Example: A 22-lb child weighs 10 kg.
Administration Instructions
Omeprazole and pantoprazole have slightly different administration instructions.
Omeprazole
Omeprazole tablets or capsules should be taken in the morning with a glass of water about 30 minutes before the day’s first meal.
If you have difficulty swallowing the capsule, you may open it and sprinkle the pellet contents into applesauce. Swallow the mixture and immediately drink a glass of water. Be careful not to crush or chew the pellets.
Omeprazole oral suspension should also be taken before the day’s first meal. The oral suspension comes in packets of dry powder. Mix the powder in water before taking it.
For the 2.5-mg packet, mix the powder in a cup with 5 milliliters (mL) of water; the 10-mg powder packet should be mixed with 15 mL of water. Stir, let sit for two to three minutes to thicken, then drink.
Pantoprazole
Pantoprazole tablets can be taken once daily, at any time of day, without regard to the timing of food. Swallow the tablet whole.
Pantoprazole oral suspension, like omeprazole, comes in powder packets and should be taken about 30 minutes before the day’s first meal.
Mix pantoprazole powder into 1 teaspoonful of applesauce or apple juice. Do not crush or chew the powder granules, and do not mix them into other foods or drinks. After swallowing the mixture, drink some water to wash it down.
Omeprazole and pantoprazole can also be administered using a nasogastric (NG) tube. Consult your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more details.
Which Is More Effective?
Many studies are comparing the efficacy of omeprazole and pantoprazole. Generally, these two medications are similarly effective for treating ulcers andsymptoms related to acid reflux, such as heartburn.
In one older study comparing omeprazole and pantoprazole for healing acid reflux-induced erosive esophagitis, the healing rates were equivalent between the two medications after four weeks of treatment.
In a more recent study comparing the two medications for healing stomach ulcers, treatment with either omeprazole 40 mg or pantoprazole 40 mg led to similar healing and pain reduction levels after eight weeks.
Making lifestyle changes helps to reduce the symptoms ofacid reflux. Some people can manage acid reflux with lifestyle changes alone without medication.
Lifestyle changes are also beneficial with medication like omeprazole or pantoprazole. From a diet perspective, experts recommend avoiding late meals andfoods that trigger refluxbefore sleeping, such as spicy foods.
Additionally, elevating your head with an extra pillow during sleep can assist in the normal digestion of food and keep acid down.
Weight loss and smoking cessation are also beneficial for reducing acid reflux. Smoking can increase the chance of having reflux, and quitting will help prevent acid from coming up.
Similarly,obesityis closely associated with acid reflux. If you’re overweight, losing weight can help stomach acid production return to normal levels, which may ease symptoms.
Side Effects & Safety
Generally, both omeprazole and pantoprazole provide safe options to help manage acid reflux and other stomach acid-related conditions.
Both medications have been associated with the following mild side effects:
In rare cases, individuals may develop more severe side effects with omeprazole or pantoprazole.
These include:
If you take omeprazole or pantoprazole long-term, your healthcare provider will monitor you closely for side effects. They may also recommend vitamin B-12 or magnesium supplements.
Precautions
Omeprazole and pantoprazole should be avoided in the following instances:
Potential for Interaction
Drug interactions can change how a drug works, making it less effective or even more toxic.
The lists below are incomplete but highlight some interactions to be aware of while taking oral forms of pantoprazole or omeprazole.
Either drug may interact with the following medications:
Omeprazole-Specific Interactions
In general, omeprazole has more drug interactions than pantoprazole.
Examples of additional drug interactions for omeprazole are:
Before taking omeprazole or pantoprazole, talk to a healthcare professional about all other medications, vitamins, or supplements you take.
This ensures omeprazole or pantoprazole will be safe and effective to take with the rest of your medications.
Summary
Omeprazole and pantoprazole are generic PPIs for treating acid reflux, stomach ulcers, and other excessive stomach acid production conditions. These two drugs share many similarities, including their work, side effects, and effectiveness.
However, there are critical differences between the drugs. Some omeprazole is available OTC to treat frequent heartburn in adults, while pantoprazole is prescription-only.
Healthcare providers commonly prescribe omeprazole for infants and younger children, while pantoprazole is used for older children and adults.
Omeprazole also has more drug interactions than pantoprazole.
If you’re interested in determining if one of these medications may be helpful for you, talk to a healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked QuestionsStore the tablet, capsule, and packet powder forms of omeprazole and pantoprazole at room temperature (between 68 and 77 F).Each packet should be kept sealed and dry for the powder forms until right before you’re about to administer it.In addition to omeprazole and pantoprazole, several other PPIs drugs are available, including:AcipHex (rabeprazole), Dexilant (dexlansoprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole), and Prevacid (lansoprazole).Some PPIs are sold OTC, and others require a prescription.You can consult a healthcare provider or pharmacist to determine which option is right for you.
Store the tablet, capsule, and packet powder forms of omeprazole and pantoprazole at room temperature (between 68 and 77 F).Each packet should be kept sealed and dry for the powder forms until right before you’re about to administer it.
Store the tablet, capsule, and packet powder forms of omeprazole and pantoprazole at room temperature (between 68 and 77 F).
Each packet should be kept sealed and dry for the powder forms until right before you’re about to administer it.
In addition to omeprazole and pantoprazole, several other PPIs drugs are available, including:AcipHex (rabeprazole), Dexilant (dexlansoprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole), and Prevacid (lansoprazole).Some PPIs are sold OTC, and others require a prescription.You can consult a healthcare provider or pharmacist to determine which option is right for you.
In addition to omeprazole and pantoprazole, several other PPIs drugs are available, including:AcipHex (rabeprazole), Dexilant (dexlansoprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole), and Prevacid (lansoprazole).
Some PPIs are sold OTC, and others require a prescription.
You can consult a healthcare provider or pharmacist to determine which option is right for you.
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Korner T, Schutze K, van Leendert RJM, et al.Comparable efficacy of pantoprazole and omeprazole in patients with moderate to severe reflux esophagitis.Digestion.2003; 67(1-2):6-13. doi:10.1159/000070201
Mukhtar M, Alzubaidee MJ, Dwarampudi RS, et al.Role of non-pharmacological interventions and weight loss in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease in obese individuals: a systematic review.Cureus. 2022;14(8): 28637. doi:10.7759/cureus.28637
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