Prevacid vs. Omeprazole
See how Prevacid and Omeprazole compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Prevacid and omeprazole are both proton pump inhibitors that reduce stomach acid to treat GERD, ulcers, and H. pylori infection, and both are sold over the counter or by prescription.
Prevacid comes as a capsule, an orally disintegrating tablet, or an IV injection, while omeprazole is only available as a delayed-release capsule.
Generic omeprazole is typically much less expensive than brand-name Prevacid, though both drugs have low-cost generic versions for most patients.
Prevacid vs. Omeprazole Drug Summary
Prevacid
Prevacid (lansoprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor that lowers stomach acid to treat GERD, ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and H. pylori infection. It comes as a delayed-release capsule, an orally disintegrating tablet, or an IV injection, with dosing that ranges from once daily to twice daily depending on the condition. It has been FDA-approved since 1995 and is sold both by prescription and over the counter.
Omeprazole
Omeprazole (brand name Prilosec) is a proton pump inhibitor that lowers stomach acid to treat GERD, duodenal and gastric ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and H. pylori infection. It comes only as a delayed-release capsule, taken once or twice daily depending on the condition. It has been FDA-approved since 1989 and is also sold over the counter at a lower dose.
Prevacid vs. Omeprazole Side Effects
Prevacid
Omeprazole
Prevacid vs. Omeprazole Dosage
Prevacid
Omeprazole
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 30 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 30 mg twice daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | As tolerated |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 20 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 60 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | As tolerated |
Prevacid
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 30 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 30 mg twice daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | As tolerated |
Omeprazole
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 20 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 60 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | As tolerated |
Prevacid vs. Omeprazole Indications
Prevacid
Prevacid treats a range of acid-related conditions, from short-term ulcer healing to long-term GERD maintenance. It is also combined with antibiotics to eradicate H. pylori and used to lower the risk of NSAID-related stomach ulcers.
Duodenal ulcer healing and maintenance
Gastric ulcer healing
Erosive esophagitis healing and maintenance
GERD (prescription and over-the-counter)
H. pylori eradication and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
Omeprazole
Omeprazole treats duodenal and gastric ulcers, GERD, and erosive esophagitis, and is combined with antibiotics to eradicate H. pylori. It is also approved for children as young as 1 month for erosive esophagitis and for adults with rare acid-hypersecretion disorders.
Duodenal ulcer treatment
Gastric ulcer treatment
Erosive esophagitis healing and maintenance
Symptomatic GERD (ages 2 and up)
H. pylori eradication and pathologic hypersecretory conditions
Prevacid vs. Omeprazole Pros and Cons
Prevacid
Prevacid offers more dosage forms than omeprazole, including an orally disintegrating tablet and an IV option for patients who cannot swallow capsules. It also carries a couple of FDA indications omeprazole's label does not include, though the brand-name version can cost far more without coverage.
Pros
Available as a capsule, orally disintegrating tablet, or IV injection
Approved for GERD in children as young as 1 year old
Carries an FDA indication to reduce NSAID-associated ulcer risk
Available over the counter as well as by prescription
Cons
Not approved for infants younger than 1 year old
Brand-name Prevacid can cost far more than generic omeprazole, roughly $14 to $530 a month before savings programs
Long-term use carries a specific label warning for fundic gland polyps
Omeprazole
Omeprazole has been generic for decades, making it one of the least expensive PPIs on the market, and its label covers a broader pediatric age range for erosive esophagitis than Prevacid's. It comes only as a capsule, so patients who cannot swallow pills have fewer options than with Prevacid.
Pros
Generic omeprazole is inexpensive, often $4 to $25 a month without insurance
Approved for erosive esophagitis in infants as young as 1 month old
Long real-world track record, FDA-approved since 1989
Available over the counter at a lower dose without a prescription
Cons
Only available as a capsule, with no orally disintegrating tablet or IV form
Not approved for reducing NSAID-associated ulcer risk
GERD indication starts at age 2, a year later than Prevacid's pediatric approval
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