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Alternatives to Prilosec

Prilosec, brand name for the generic drug omeprazole, is one of a class of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medicines intended to decrease the amount of acid produced in the stomach. The purpose of this type of drug is to reduce gastroesophageal reflex, help heal erosive esophagitis or treat stomach ulcers caused by H. Pyloric bacterial infections. Alternatives include other similar prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) medications and herbal remedies that may help treat the same conditions.

  1. Other Proton Pump Inhibitors

    • The following PPIs all act in the same way but may have slightly different side effects: Prevacid (lansoprazole), Aciphex (rabeprazole), Protonix (pantoprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole) and Zegerid (combination of omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate in an immediate release form). Except for the last, the usual dose of these drugs is once or twice a day. These are all potent medications and reserved for the most serious cases. By reducing the amount of stomach acid, they can cause other problems such as susceptibility to bacteria, reduction of Vitamin B12 absorption and mask other serious digestive problems. Sometimes doctors prescribe PPIs to prevent the progression of a pre-cancerous condition called Barrett's Esophagus. However, in the latter condition, evidence that PPIs reduce the risk of progression to esophageal cancer is very mixed. Out of 48 review articles indexed by 2009 in the National Library of Medicine's PubMed database, only a very few studies in a small number of patients such as one by D. M. Nguyen in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology in 2009 found any concrete clinical evidence that long-term PPI therapy reduces the risk of esophageal cancer.

    H2 Receptor Antagonists

    • These are drugs available in both prescription and over-the-counter strength that reduce the acidity of stomach acid and treat associated problems describe above. They include Tagamet (cimetidine), Pepcid (famotidine), Axid (nizatidine) and Zantac (ranitidine). The OTC versions may be used 30 to 60 minutes before a meal to prevent acid reflux or after a meal if indigestion occurs. Longer-term use calls for one pill a day at bedtime or half as much taken twice a day.

    Alternative Remedies

    • Various herbal remedies and dietary changes may help reduce the over-production of stomach acid and improve digestion. These include deglycyrrhizinated licorice (regular licorice can raise blood pressure so should be avoided), comfrey, meadowsweet and chamomile as well as reducing the consumption of acid foods and beverages like alcohol which tend to relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing the reflux of stomach acid. Over-the-counter antacids can reduce the amount of acidity in the stomach. A company named pH Sciences has several products that they claim will reduce the acidity of foods and beverages.

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