can i use omeprazole instead of nexium ?

[bandos2000]

hi all, does anyone know if there is any difference between nexium (esomeprazole ) and omeprazole, apart from the price that is. i need 2 to 3 months of nexium, its expensive, so wondering if can substitute with omeprazole ?

[FBN]

Yes, basically the same medication. Some people though has slightly different response to change in treatment such as perhaps longer time to relief of symptoms etc.

[CaptHaddock]

Probably you can. Try it.

[Pinot]

It's the generic drug of exactly the same thing. I just paid 40 baht for 10.

I'm glad this came up. I just discovered this stuff.

Tell me-

Can it be used for intermittent gastritis? I've found it to be effective in a single dosage (40 mg)? It seems to work great that way for me. A couple of doses over 24 hours and it's gone. The literature doesn't talk about that.

[uptheos]

The only active ingredient in Nexium is the exact same thing as the only active ingredient in omeprazole a (now) generic drug made by the same company, which is over the counter and four to eight times cheaper.

[DogNo1]

If you can tolerate Nexium, you can probably tolerate Prilosec (Omeprazole.) I can't and must take Prevacid (Lansoprazole.) There is also a variant called Rabeprazole. I suggest that posters check with their doctor since the frequency and dosage of the medicine depends on the condition of your stomach and esophageous. Self medication can be risky. For example, taking various medicines containing acetamenophin can result in an overdose and liver damage. You can check on WebMD for information about medicine.

[Longtooth]

You might check that there is no time period limit on taking the med. I seem to remember an advised limit of two weeks. Maybe a different med for extended use? You'll have to check. I could be remembering incorrectly.

[sinbin]

Omerprazol should be taken for no longer than 14 days in a row. Allow at least 4 months to pass before you start another 14-day treatment.

So why does the OP want a 2-3 month supply?

Edited December 14, 2015 by sinbin

[meatboy]

having suffered for over 45yrs.with hiatus hernia [acid reflux] i was put on lansoprozole,since moving to thailand i have been on omeprazole 40mg.

very rare i get any discomfort.

and very very comfortable on the pocket, 45bht.x 14

[sinbin]

As with all meds there's side affects.

If you are 50 years of age or older, ask your doctor if it is safe for you to take nonprescription or prescription omeprazole. The risk that you may develop a severe form of diarrhea caused by bacteria or that you may fracture your wrist, hip, or spine may be higher if you are an older adult.

[FBN]

It's the generic drug of exactly the same thing. I just paid 40 baht for 10.

I'm glad this came up. I just discovered this stuff.

Tell me-

Can it be used for intermittent gastritis? I've found it to be effective in a single dosage (40 mg)? It seems to work great that way for me. A couple of doses over 24 hours and it's gone. The literature doesn't talk about that.

It could be used for this if an antacid won't help. (Gaviscon is one such antacid designed for hiatus hernia). Never use both!

The usual dose is 20mg and, as with all medications, use the lowest dose that achieves the desired effect.

All of these drugs are in a group called proton pump inhibitors which basically means it interferes with the chemical reaction in stomach lining cells that produce acid.

Recent discussions on the longterm use of these drugs on a continuous basis may cause renal damage.

There is also a possibility that it may mask early symptoms of gastric malignancy so if symptoms continue over a long period of time, a gastroscopy is indicated to rule this out as well as a helicobacter pylori presence which very often aggravates the situation and needs to be treated separately.

[xylophone]

This says it better than I can, and I remember the big "argument" about Nexium when it was first approved. This basically because it was only slightly different to Omeprazole and many in the industry argued that the difference was insignificant and that it was just a ploy to increase revenue stream when Omeprazole came off patent.

As a proton pump inhibitor it can also assist with treatment of gastritis as well as reflux.

"Astra-Zenica had the patent for omeprazole. Toward the end of the 17 year patent, the legal /technical brains at AZ thought about providing more profit streams, and wanted to patent "Nexium." Many thought they (AZ) couldn't do it, but they somehow got it through the FDA and got it patented.

"Nexium" is the s-isomer of omeprazole. Nexium is actually called esomeprazole. If you remember your chemistry (organic), an s-isomer is a mirror image of the "other" form. That's it. Look at your right hand, then look at your left hand. They are "s-isomers" of each other.

There is NO performance difference between Rx Nexium and OTC omeprazole/Prilosec.

It is just a way for AZ to improve profitability. They make no claim that Nexium, "the purple pill" works any better or worse than any other product (ie omeprazole). Why would they? There is no difference. Mirror image and more expensive".

[bandos2000]

Hi , thanks for all the replies, i recently had an endoscopy done at Yanhee, the verdict was some erosion in places, along with chronic gastritis. my doctor there prescribed 4 different medicines for 2 to 3 months, nexium being one of them . she did advise me to buy it outside the hospital ,which i would have done anyway, but i think maybe she has shares in that company, not sure why she didnt just say buy the omeprazole, which i will now do. Btw , couldnt fault anything with their service and waiting times at Yanhee, plenty of Philippine staff for English as well, thoroughly recommended.

[celtichello]

I have used both, at different times, over the last 12 years. I have also been on 40mg a day during those that period, every day; what I did find helpful and based on medical recommendation was to split that 40mg into 2 x 20mg, one before breakfast and one (say an hour) before evening meal.

I have GORD (Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease) ,specifically I have a form of GORD known as Barret's , also in the past I have had ulcers and hiatus hernia's - these have been effectively managed by the Protum Pump Inhibitor Nexium.

To your specific question, I prefer Nexium, although I believe that may because that drug is what I was used to for about 9 years; however I must say that Omeprazole also does the job and in recent years I have used them interchangeably , depending on what country I was in; I believe they contain the same underlying ingredient.

It may simply be how you use (either) , when you take them , plus slight adjustments to your eating/drinking/lifestyle habits - foods not too spicy, avoiding acidic drinks, raising the bed a little at night or using a few pillows so that your head is higher than your body, not wearing tight fitting trousers and so on.

If you are on a short term (say a couple of months) then that may clear your underlying problem completely , I guess the endoscopy will have shown the grade/level of the gastritis.

Hope answer helps a bit in your decision.

[cooked]

I have used both, at different times, over the last 12 years. I have also been on 40mg a day during those that period, every day; what I did find helpful and based on medical recommendation was to split that 40mg into 2 x 20mg, one before breakfast and one (say an hour) before evening meal.

I have GORD (Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease) ,specifically I have a form of GORD known as Barret's , also in the past I have had ulcers and hiatus hernia's - these have been effectively managed by the Protum Pump Inhibitor Nexium.

To your specific question, I prefer Nexium, although I believe that may because that drug is what I was used to for about 9 years; however I must say that Omeprazole also does the job and in recent years I have used them interchangeably , depending on what country I was in; I believe they contain the same underlying ingredient.

It may simply be how you use (either) , when you take them , plus slight adjustments to your eating/drinking/lifestyle habits - foods not too spicy, avoiding acidic drinks, raising the bed a little at night or using a few pillows so that your head is higher than your body, not wearing tight fitting trousers and so on.

If you are on a short term (say a couple of months) then that may clear your underlying problem completely , I guess the endoscopy will have shown the grade/level of the gastritis.

Hope answer helps a bit in your decision.

I discovered that cheese and to some extent, alcohol increased my tendency to gastritis.

Anyway, I thought that the deal was that you take omeprazole or Miracid or whatever for a period of time and if things didn't improve you start again, this time taking a specific antibiotic for two or three weeks. Too late for me now I guess, but maybe worth while going to a doctor.

[CaptHaddock]

For some people losing weight can eliminate the GERD. It did for me.

[xylophone]

I have used both, at different times, over the last 12 years. I have also been on 40mg a day during those that period, every day; what I did find helpful and based on medical recommendation was to split that 40mg into 2 x 20mg, one before breakfast and one (say an hour) before evening meal.

I have GORD (Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease) ,specifically I have a form of GORD known as Barret's , also in the past I have had ulcers and hiatus hernia's - these have been effectively managed by the Protum Pump Inhibitor Nexium.

To your specific question, I prefer Nexium, although I believe that may because that drug is what I was used to for about 9 years; however I must say that Omeprazole also does the job and in recent years I have used them interchangeably , depending on what country I was in; I believe they contain the same underlying ingredient.

It may simply be how you use (either) , when you take them , plus slight adjustments to your eating/drinking/lifestyle habits - foods not too spicy, avoiding acidic drinks, raising the bed a little at night or using a few pillows so that your head is higher than your body, not wearing tight fitting trousers and so on.

If you are on a short term (say a couple of months) then that may clear your underlying problem completely , I guess the endoscopy will have shown the grade/level of the gastritis.

Hope answer helps a bit in your decision.

Good post and your details are almost identical to mine.......have Barrets but no hernia.

Taking one 20mg morning and night worked best for me; raising the bed a little and using 2 pillows helps as well.

To the OP:- take note of what you eat and what seems to cause "flare ups". Used to love Indian curries but can't touch them now, but can eat chillies!!

Problem foods for me include chocolate (which I love), onions, coffee, curcumin..........once you know the worst then stay away from them.

If the PPI doesn't fully work then you can add a Ranitidine tablet as well about an hour or so before you go to bed. Gaviscon liquid is another good standby.

I "managed" my condition like this for the last few years and don't suffer much from it now and the last gastroscopy showed a marked improvement in the condition of my esophagus!!

Good luck.........one last thing to mention; my specialist reckons stress is a big player in this condition (if hernia is not the cause) so looking at this aspect may prove worthwhile.

Edited December 15, 2015 by xylophone

[bandos2000]

Thanks guys, some helpful info, yes i will be avoiding spicy food for a while, and try to lose a few kilos , although not that much overweight. the 20mg omeprazole does the job for me .

[xylophone]

I have used both, at different times, over the last 12 years. I have also been on 40mg a day during those that period, every day; what I did find helpful and based on medical recommendation was to split that 40mg into 2 x 20mg, one before breakfast and one (say an hour) before evening meal.

I have GORD (Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease) ,specifically I have a form of GORD known as Barret's , also in the past I have had ulcers and hiatus hernia's - these have been effectively managed by the Protum Pump Inhibitor Nexium.

To your specific question, I prefer Nexium, although I believe that may because that drug is what I was used to for about 9 years; however I must say that Omeprazole also does the job and in recent years I have used them interchangeably , depending on what country I was in; I believe they contain the same underlying ingredient.

It may simply be how you use (either) , when you take them , plus slight adjustments to your eating/drinking/lifestyle habits - foods not too spicy, avoiding acidic drinks, raising the bed a little at night or using a few pillows so that your head is higher than your body, not wearing tight fitting trousers and so on.

If you are on a short term (say a couple of months) then that may clear your underlying problem completely , I guess the endoscopy will have shown the grade/level of the gastritis.

Hope answer helps a bit in your decision.

I discovered that cheese and to some extent, alcohol increased my tendency to gastritis.

Anyway, I thought that the deal was that you take omeprazole or Miracid or whatever for a period of time and if things didn't improve you start again, this time taking a specific antibiotic for two or three weeks. Too late for me now I guess, but maybe worth while going to a doctor.

The antibiotic treatment along with a PPI is in cases of H Pylori.........and the following info on the subject is useful (and news to me!).

http://digestivehealthinstitute.org/2014/07/10/h-pylori-low-stomach-acid-gerd/

Studies on GERD patients where H. pylori was eradicated with antibiotics:

1. H. pylori eradication had no impact on esophageal acid exposure or LES (lower esophageal sphincter) pressure.[2]

2. H. pylori eradication resulted in no consistent change in gastroesophageal acid reflux.[3]

3. No differences were detected in acid reflux before and after H. pylori eradication.[4]

4. Eradicating H. pylori increased (not decreased) esophageal acid exposure and in some cases, worsened reflux symptoms.[5]

Conclusion: Successful treatment of H. pylori infection does not improve GERD symptoms, esophageal acid exposure, LES pressure changes, or acid reflux.

[Bpuumike]

I have used both, at different times, over the last 12 years. I have also been on 40mg a day during those that period, every day; what I did find helpful and based on medical recommendation was to split that 40mg into 2 x 20mg, one before breakfast and one (say an hour) before evening meal.

I have GORD (Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease) ,specifically I have a form of GORD known as Barret's , also in the past I have had ulcers and hiatus hernia's - these have been effectively managed by the Protum Pump Inhibitor Nexium.

To your specific question, I prefer Nexium, although I believe that may because that drug is what I was used to for about 9 years; however I must say that Omeprazole also does the job and in recent years I have used them interchangeably , depending on what country I was in; I believe they contain the same underlying ingredient.

It may simply be how you use (either) , when you take them , plus slight adjustments to your eating/drinking/lifestyle habits - foods not too spicy, avoiding acidic drinks, raising the bed a little at night or using a few pillows so that your head is higher than your body, not wearing tight fitting trousers and so on.

If you are on a short term (say a couple of months) then that may clear your underlying problem completely , I guess the endoscopy will have shown the grade/level of the gastritis.

Hope answer helps a bit in your decision.

Good post and your details are almost identical to mine.......have Barrets but no hernia.

Taking one 20mg morning and night worked best for me; raising the bed a little and using 2 pillows helps as well.

To the OP:- take note of what you eat and what seems to cause "flare ups". Used to love Indian curries but can't touch them now, but can eat chillies!!

Problem foods for me include chocolate (which I love), onions, coffee, curcumin..........once you know the worst then stay away from them.

If the PPI doesn't fully work then you can add a Ranitidine tablet as well about an hour or so before you go to bed. Gaviscon liquid is another good standby.

I "managed" my condition like this for the last few years and don't suffer much from it now and the last gastroscopy showed a marked improvement in the condition of my esophagus!!

Good luck.........one last thing to mention; my specialist reckons stress is a big player in this condition (if hernia is not the cause) so looking at this aspect may prove worthwhile.

I am on the same regime as yourselves following a duodenal ulcer (no hernia involved) some 8 years ago.

I was told by my UK doctor , who I know well, that I would need to take Nexium for life. I do occasionally take Omeprazole but only ever short time. Three other doctors I have consulted on other matters also specifically recommended that I continue with Nexium so have always assumed there must be an underlying difference to Omeprazole. I am undergoing treatment on separate matter with a good specialist here in Thailand and will question him next week on the difference.

I have managed to lose a significant amount of weight over the years and largely stopped alcohol. A gastroscopy last year revealed no problems except the continuation of Barretts. I do find that Nexium allows me to eat anything I like without any discomfort but perhaps I should be more careful.

Hopefully I might get some explanation of the difference between Nexium and Omeprazole next week.

[bandos2000]

Thanks Bpuumike, please update us if you get any info on that.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

Anyone has breathing problems due to LPR/GERD?

BTW, I have recently read that active charcoal helps some people with gerd and lpr.

Lo and behold the one for 25 baht from 7/11 seems to work just fine. I can feel the improvements in about 30 minutes.

The only thing that scares me is a long term use.

Also, I tried taking miracid which is indeed very cheap here and while it works in the beginning I find that after a few days I start to feel worse.

After a bit of reading I found out that PPI's cause delayed gastric emptying.

Something to think about....

[ammagic]

Alas for me Nexium beats Miracid hands down. Nexium is definitely better & faster acting - at least for me. Pity it's so expensive

[Bpuumike]

Thanks Bpuumike, please update us if you get any info on that.

Saw my specialist today in BKK on a different matter. He's not a gastro man but he did say that Nexium has a different action on the body to Omeprazole and recommended I stay with it. Not very scientific but good enough for me as I have a lot of faith in him in his own speciality.

I'll continue to keep a pack of Omeprazole as back up for the rare occasion I might need it.

[Sheryl]

The mode of action is identical and one should not take both drugs - one or the other.

They are not, however, exactly the same drug as some said. Nexium is a newer generation of the same class of drugs and has a slightly different formulation. Some studies indicate it is slightly more effective though for most people there will not be a noticeable difference.

Indeed treating h. pylori will not in anyway stop reflux, as the two things are unrelated. However OP has chronic gastritis, not GERD, which is indeed casually related to h. pylori and for treatment of which, h. pylori eradication is necessary.

Apples and oranges

I have been treated for h. pylori a few times over the years (in some cases needing a second and even then a third course of treatment to eradicate it -- not uncommon, so be sure to keep follow up appointments). Some courses of treatment with nexium and some with omeprazole, did not find that it mattered.

I would warn though that once on PPIs for any length of time it can be very hard to come off them (there is rebound acidity). No difference whether omeprazole or nexium in that regard. It has to be done very gradually which is tricky since they come as capsules in usually just one dosage. Had to open up the capsules and pour part out, in order to gradually taper the dosage. And taper very, very gradually.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

Sheryl, how long were you on ppi's?

[MUSTYJACK]

I had been on ppi's for many years for chronic reflux and hiatus hernia.

Recently I had a routine gastroscopy whilst on a visit to the UK and during the consultation with the doctor, he advised me to come off the ppi's if at all possible due to their side effects.

He said that long term usage can cause the bones to lose calcium resulting in osteoporosis, and advised me to take calcium supplements and vitamin d.

He advised me to take ranitidine as and when I need them to combat any acid reflux.

I stopped taking ppi's immediately and have not suffered any reflux related discomfort since. It has been 2 months now.

A couple of times I have had discomfort due to eating late at night, something I rarely do, and going to sleep on a full stomach, and have taken a ranitidine tab and a swig of gaviscon to settle it.

Ranitidine can be bought off the shelf in UK supermarkets and are widely available in Thailand too.

[xylophone]

............

I would warn though that once on PPIs for any length of time it can be very hard to come off them (there is rebound acidity). No difference whether omeprazole or nexium in that regard. It has to be done very gradually which is tricky since they come as capsules in usually just one dosage. Had to open up the capsules and pour part out, in order to gradually taper the dosage. And taper very, very gradually.

I was on omeprazole for just on 10 years, starting with 40 mg in the morning and 40 mg in the evening, this for gastric reflux not caused by a hernia or the like, but basically a combination of stress and a "poorly functioning" oesophageal sphincter.

Getting rid of the stress played a major part in my "recovery" and then I was able to get onto 20 mg twice a day, down to 20 mg once a day, and as I mentioned in another post, in the recent past the gastroscopy showed my condition (Barrett's oesophagus) to be improving, to such an extent that it was hardly noticeable – – what a relief.

Now I only take it when necessary, and then over the period of a couple of days or so, and this in conjunction with the occasional spoonful of Gaviscon (or ranitidine) if necessary.

In addition, a few years ago a friend told me about a capsule containing d-limonene, so I went ahead and ordered some and would you believe that the result was fabulous, so much so that I told my doctor about it on my next visit to him, and although he is an experienced doctor and general surgeon, he was interested to hear what I had to say about it. This especially as that was the visit where the gastroscopy showed a vast improvement in my condition.

I put the fact that I was able to get off the omeprazole so easily down to d-limonene, and my doctor's attitude was that if it worked for me, then I should keep taking it, so I do from time to time (there is quite a bit written about it on the Internet if one cares to look, and for anyone who has suffered from reflux, then the cost of buying some capsules to try is surely worth it).

Again, monitoring what foods trigger it, including eating late at night, and also what situations trigger it (possibly the stress factor) will help although if it is reflux caused by a hiatus hernia, then getting it fixed is probably the ultimate solution.

[Sheryl]

Sheryl, how long were you on ppi's?

Maybe 2-3 years and still tapering off (taking for chronic gastritis and a small duodenal ulcer) . Down to about 10 mg a day now. Prior attempts to stop failed due to the rebound so now taking it very, very slow.

[bangkokairportlink]

So these meds are all equal ?

 

What is your personal experience, which one do you prefer ?

 

Thanks.