Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec?

Mindy D · ‎05-23-2010

Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec (not at the same time)? What was your experience?

Were you on Prilosec OTC first and then switched when you visited a specialist?

Pearlee · ‎06-11-2011

@Mindy D I only have prescription. I don't know why you are asking but I think my prescription dose is 2X the strength of OTC and also my prescription med under my particular prescription drug plan is FREE, so I wouldn't want OTC which I'd have to pay for.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@Mindy D Before you take a PPI, do a lot of research. I took Prilosec for at least 20 years and it has seriously affected my kidney function. It has other side-effects too. The specialist to whom I was referred said to absolutely stay off of it. I've found that an acid reducer (Pepcid) is almost as effective and a lot less dangerous. I think the label on OTC Prilosec says it's for short-term use.

My prescription dose was exactly the same as OTC. I think they all are, but the prescription was cheaper with insurance.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Xivambala · ‎07-26-2019

Only the generic version of OTC Prilosec, Omeprazole, that was recommended by my physician. It took a few rounds to knock out the heartburn problems I was having.

Mindy D · ‎05-23-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Mindy D Before you take a PPI, do a lot of research. I took Prilosec for at least 20 years and it has seriously affected my kidney function. It has other side-effects too. The specialist to whom I was referred said to absolutely stay off of it. I've found that an acid reducer (Pepcid) is almost as effective and a lot less dangerous. I think the label on OTC Prilosec says it's for short-term use.

My prescription dose was exactly the same as OTC. I think they all are, but the prescription was cheaper with insurance.

@Kachina624 @I'm not asking for myself. A relative's primary doc has him on the OTC for two courses of 14 days each but he might be going to a gastroenterologist and then the specialist could switch him to the RX version. He might not be able to be switched though, because the primary care doctor had him on the OTC and taking Prilosec for an extended period might not be advised. He's wondering how this use of the OTC could affect RX prescribing. We are aware of the kidney damage issue as well as all the other side effects that have been studied. He'll probably need endoscopy. This could be stemming from erosion or ulcer from aspirin use. It's not going to be used as an acid reducer in the same way as your use was. I'm very sorry that you have the kidney issue from Prilosec and I'm grateful to you for letting me know. I'm still apprehensive about the Prilosec, even for the term use for ulcer treatment, but it does heal duodenal and peptic ulcers.

Mindy D · ‎05-23-2010

@Xivambala wrote:
Only the generic version of OTC Prilosec, Omeprazole, that was recommended by my physician. It took a few rounds to knock out the heartburn problems I was having.

@Xivambala @Were the rounds separated by time intervals, or did you take them back to back? Did you take more than two rounds?

Pearlee · ‎06-11-2011

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Mindy D Before you take a PPI, do a lot of research. I took Prilosec for at least 20 years and it has seriously affected my kidney function. It has other side-effects too. The specialist to whom I was referred said to absolutely stay off of it. I've found that an acid reducer (Pepcid) is almost as effective and a lot less dangerous. I think the label on OTC Prilosec says it's for short-term use.

My prescription dose was exactly the same as OTC. I think they all are, but the prescription was cheaper with insurance.

@Kachina624 NO the prescription doses are NOT all the same as OTC. My prescription is double the OTC dose and the pharmacy told me, when I handed them my prescription, that not all insurance companies will cover that one but fortunately my insurance company does.

@Mindy D I was concerned with kidney damage side effects I'd read about on the 'net and discussed them with my longtime physician. He said that during his 35 yrs of practice none of his patients have had side effects from it. I do only take it short term.

Puppy Lips · ‎05-09-2010

@Mindy D wrote:
@Xivambala wrote:
Only the generic version of OTC Prilosec, Omeprazole, that was recommended by my physician. It took a few rounds to knock out the heartburn problems I was having.
@Xivambala @Were the rounds separated by time intervals, or did you take them back to back? Did you take more than two rounds?

@Mindy D One of our sons takes Omeprazole. I think he takes it continuously, every day. I worry about that. But his grandmother took the same thing, every day for YEARS. She passed at 94 years old.

Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else. Margaret Mead

on the bay · ‎03-09-2010

I'm glad this thread was started.

My mother takes omeprazole every day. On reading there are warnings now that this med (prilosec, prevacid, nexium) is causing c-diff diarrhea, bone fractures, kidney problems. The directions say to use temporarily not every day long term.

I think what may happen is a dr may prescribe it and then the pt keeps taking it not realizing it shouldn't be taken every day.

And someone may have been taking it for years and live to an elderly age but is it affecting them? I think it is for my mother and aunt, so I will tell them about this.

Do you all also remember several years ago there were warnings about taking anti-acids like tums too much because of heart problems? Just like too much calcium esp for women can cause the same.

Really, for every everyday things both rx and otc (over the counter) that is out there, we really have to read all about it and not just take for granted that just because drs may freely prescribe or recommend it, it is safe.

New information comes out so often that no dr can keep up with it all.

And sometimes they just keep prescribing the "recommended" things that have been used for years, not really knowing about new warnings or symptoms.

The 2 @Kachina624 , mentioned, pepcid ac (famotodine), or tagamet

(cimetidine) would be safer to use, though tagamet may have more side effects.

And supposedly zantac, another heartburn med ( and any ranitidine drug) was pulled off the shelves in April 2020 by the fda for causing cancer, after being on shelves for 40 years.

Jeez, this all makes my head spin, but I'm not surprised. So many drugs and things out there that are really not good for our health!

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"

luvmyteddy4 · ‎09-04-2010

I have taken all of the over the counter drugs for 50 years, started with an ulcer and then gastritis and heartburn.

I switched to Dexilant 60mg about 5 years ago with a script and it has worked the best for me. The others didn't work that well and nexium probably the best of those.

I love the Dexilant.

All of my tests come out good every year from the Dr.

I get mine free from the manufacturer every year.