Difference Between Zantac and Prilosec

Zantac vs Prilosec

Over-the-counter drugs have made self-medication easy and quick for most people, not to mention that they save a lot on consultation fees. While self-medication is an acceptable practice for many, it’s not always the safest: slight mistakes can be very dangerous, especially for nearly-identical drugs like Zantac and Prilosec.

People who suffer from GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, heartburn, and ulcers are very familiar with these two brands. Zantac and Prilosec are both used for treatment of the said conditions, which is why many individuals believe that one can be substituted for the other. But doctors and pharmacists say that despite being formulated to address similar symptoms of gastrointestinal problems, they are two different drugs.

First of all, Zantac and Prilosec have different generic names. Zantac is called ranitidine, while Prilosec is called omerprazole. People who encounter these brands often question why they have different generic names when they are used to treat the same medical conditions and symptoms. The main reason for doing this is that the drugs have different modes of action for treating diseases. Simply put, Zantac and Prilosec work differently even though they have the same goals.

Zantac is classified as an H2 blocker, which decreases acid production in the stomach by blocking the receptors that trigger it. Prilosec, on the other hand, blocks the secretion of acid that has already formed.

Prilosec differs also differs from Zantac because it is also formulated to combat the effects of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which also known as over production of acid in the stomach. Zantac cannot be used to treat the same condition.

Prilosec works faster than Zantac. Patients treated with Prilosec often see results within twelve weeks or even earlier in mild cases. Zantac, on the other hand, may take up to a year or more before the symptoms stabilize and subside. Because of this, Zantac is preferred by doctors as maintenance drug for people who have acute ulcers.

The physical appearance of the two drugs also differ. Zantac comes in peach for 150 mg and yellow for 300 mg tablets. It also has a pentagonal shape as opposed to Prilosec, which is in capsule form. Prilosec is apricot- and peach-colored with weights ranging from 10, 20 and 40 milligrams.

Finally, they vary in the side effects that they may cause for people who use them over long periods. Zantac can cause abdominal pain, seizures, and mental disturbances, while Prilosec can cause formation of stomach tumors. These differences alone should be enough to convince users to ask for help when they need to use either drug for treatment.

Summary:

1.Zantac and Prilosec are both over-the-counter drugs used for treatment of ulcers, GERD, heartburn, and other gastrointestinal conditions.
2.Zantac has the generic name ranitidine, while Prilosec is called omerprazole.
3.Zantac is an H2 blocker, while Prilosec is not.
4.Prilosec can treat Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, while Zantac cannot.
5.Prilosec works faster than Zantac.
6.Prilosec is in capsule form, while Zantac is in tablet form.
7.Prilosec can cause stomach tumors, while Zantac can cause abdominal pain and seizures.

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