In a world full of diseases, medicines are the ones that we need.
Even if this line sounds negative and pessimistic, it is true. That is the reason why scientists have been trying their best to come up with the best medicines possible to treat the ailments that we come across in our day-to-day lives.
If you were looking for the answer to the question “pantoprazole vs omeprazole which is better,” you have come to the right place. Keep on reading this article till the end to learn more about this topic…
But First: What Are Proton Pump Inhibitors?
There are certain medicines that aim to reduce the amount of acid that is made by the glands present in the inner lining of one of the most important organs of the body, the stomach. These are called proton pump inhibitors.
Proton pump inhibitors or PPIs help the body to get relief from the symptoms of acidity or acid reflux. These can also be prescribed to treat damages caused in the lower esophagus due to extreme acidity.
There are many PPIs that the doctors prescribe for treating Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, better known as GERD. Two of them are Pantoprazole and Omeprazole.
Keep reading this article till the end to know which one is better between pantoprazole and omeprazole…
Pantoprazole: What Is This?
More commonly called Protonix (the brand name), Pantoprazole is one of the most commonly prescribed PPIs that is used to treat GERD. This FDA approved medicine is an oral drug. However, they are also prescribed in their intravenous or IV forms.
These medicines are generally provided in the form of capsules. And they are available as over-the-counter drugs.
Pantoprazole Side Effects
It is not possible for you to not have side effects after taking a medicine, is it? That is the reason why you need to know what you are signing up for. Here are some of the side effects of taking Pantoprazole:
- Kidney problems.
- Allergic reactions.
- Headaches.
- Joint pain.
- Gas.
- Fever.
Omeprazole: What Is This?
Similar to Pantoprazole, Omeprazole is another drug that is used to treat PPI. It is most commonly known by the brand name Prilosec. Like Pantoprazole, Prisolic is also used to treat erosive esophagitis and GERD.
This drug is also used to treat diseases like bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, dyspepsia, and heartburn.
Omeprazole Side Effects
There are several effects of taking Omeprazole. Some of them are as follows:
- Flatulence.
- Nausea.
- Headache.
- Diarrhea.
- Constipation.
Pantoprazole Vs Omeprazole: What Is The Difference?
If you think that there is a lot of difference between the two, Pantoprazole vs Omeprazole, then you are mistaken. Both the drugs fall under the same category, that is PPI. and both of them help to provide relief to the patient by reducing acidity in the stomach.
In simpler words, these drugs help to decrease the production of acid in the stomach.
The only difference between the two, however, is the rate at which they start to show their effects, or how fast they start to work.
The dosage also differs between the two. While on the one hand, you need to take 40 mg of Pantoprazole to start working, you only need 20 mg of Omeprazole to give you the much-needed relief.
While Omeprazole starts to work after a day or two, Pantoprazole will start to become effective after just two hours (2 hours). That is the time that the medicine takes to ensure that the production of acid is stopped. This means when it comes to their speed, the latter works much faster compared to the former.
Pantoprazole Vs Omeprazole: Which One Should You Take?
Now that you know that there are not many differences when it comes to the working of the two medicines, it might be clear to you that both the PPIs work in a similar way. The only difference is that one of them (Pantoprazole) works much faster than the other (Omeprazole).
Therefore, it totally depends on you which one you would want to take. However, it is important that you consult your doctor about the dosage and the other ongoing drugs that are prescribed to you. It is best to stay clear on whether either of the PPIs is going to react with the medicines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Now that you have reached almost the end of the article, I hope most of your confusion has already been solved. However, here are some questions that the users frequently ask. So why don’t you go through them for better clarity?
Ans – There are several alternatives to Pantoprazole. Some of them are:
⦾ Dexilant
⦾ Aciphex
⦾ Prilosec
⦾ Famotidine
Ans – Both the drugs, Pantoprazole and Omeprazole, work similarly for the same disease, that is, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. While you need 40 mg of Pantoprazole to start working, you need 20 mg of Omeprazole to do the same work. However, Pantoprazole starts working much faster than its counterpart.
Ans – There are certain side effects that may be caused due to taking Pantoprazole. While this medicine directly has no connection to causing anxiety, there can be times when GERD may make you feel anxious. At times like these, Pantoprazole will be able to give you relief.
Bottom Line: Which One Is Better Between Pantoprazole Vs Omeprazole?
Pantoprazole and Omeprazole are both certain types of proton pump inhibitors. Both of them are used to treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. As they have similar compositions, there is not much difference between the two and how they interact with other drugs.
If you were looking for the answer to which medicine is better between Pantoprazole vs Omeprazole, I hope you have found this article to be helpful. Also, if there are any other queries related to the same, feel free to write them down in the comment section below.
Till then, take care!