13 Best Omeprazole Alternative for Acid Reflux

March 15, 2023

Omeprazole is one of the most prescribed medications in the United States. It is primarily used to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disorder (GORD), characterized by symptoms such as heartburn caused by stomach acid that rises from the stomach into the esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth and stomach).

In this post, We will explore many Omeprazole alternative pharmaceuticals accessible for purchase by the general public and prescription-only treatments.

In this blog

Omeprazole And Alternatives: Drug Classification

Omeprazole belongs to a class of drugs known as Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs are the most widely used class of medications for suppressing acid production in the stomach. Omeprazole Alternative Medications The drugs described in this topic are classified as follows:

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
H2-Receptor Antagonists (H2-blockers)
Antacids

Omeprazole substitute medications include:

General sale list medicines (GSL)
Pharmacy-only drug (P)
Prescription-only medicines (POM)

Omeprazole is available without a prescription over the counter. Omeprazole, 10mg pills, are a Prescription medication. In 2019, a new Omeprazole-containing product was introduced. Pyrocalm Control is a GSL medication. Pyrocalm Control gastro-resistant tablets contain 20mg of Omeprazole. Omeprazole 20mg is a commonly given medication. Omeprazole 40mg pills or capsules are only available with a prescription.

Omeprazole Alternative: Best Over The Counter Options

Our listed Medicines are available in any store or supermarket. P medications, on the other hand, may only be acquired from a pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist. Online pharmacies are included. A doctor or another competent prescriber can only prescribe POM medicines.

Best Omeprazole Alternative

Drug name	Uses	Dosage	Availability
Nexium Control	Acid Reflux,Heartburn, Acid Regurgitation	20mg, 40mg, 40mg/ER, 40mg/SR	OTC
Guardium Acid Reflux Control	Acid Reflux,Heartburn	20mg, 40mg	OTC
Pantoloc Control	Acid Reflux	20mg, 40mg	OTC
Ranitidine	Acid Reflux, Gastroesophageal Reflux	150mg, 300mg	OTC
Antacids	Relieve Indigestion, Heartburn	420mg	OTC
Lansoprazole	Indigestion, Heartburn, Acid Reflux, and Gastroesophageal-Reflux-Disease (GORD).	15mg, 15mg/DT, 30mg, 30mg/DT	RX Only
Esomeprazole	Acid Reflux, Heartburn	20mg, 40mg, 40mg/ER, 40mg/SR	RX Only
Pantoprazole	Heartburn, Acid Reflux and Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)	20mg, 40mg	RX Only
Rabeprazole	Duodenal Ulcers, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome	10mg, 20mg	RX Only
Omeprazole Liquid	Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD; acid reflux)	5mg/5ml, 10mg/5ml	RX Only

Nexium Control

Nexium Control is the closest Omeprazole substitute accessible without a prescription. Nexium Control belongs to the same pharmacological class as Omeprazole: proton pump inhibitors. Nexium Control is available in two distinct pack sizes: tablets and capsules.

Esomeprazole 20mg is contained in each Nexium Control pill or capsule. As a GSL drug, Nexium Control tablets are widely accessible. Nexium Control is available in most supermarkets and some small stores. Nexium Control is also available for buying online. Amazon.com, for example, sells both pills and capsules.

Nexium Control Recommended Dosage:

One Nexium Control pill is advised per day (daily dose: 20mg of Esomeprazole). You can read more about Nexium Control in my separate post: Nexium Control review. Is Nexium the best PPI?

Guardium Acid Reflux Control

Guardium Acid Reflux Control is the most recent addition to the non-prescription acid reflux medicine line. Guardium Acid Reflux Control, like Nexium Control, has Esomeprazole as an active component.

Esomeprazole 20mg is contained in each Guardium Acid Reflux Control pill. Guardium Acid Reflux Control is available from both traditional and internet pharmacies. This product is also available on other websites, including Amazon.com. There are two pack sizes available 7 and 14 tablets. GSL medicine is Guardium Acid Reflux Control. As a result, it may be purchased at any store or supermarket.

Guardium Acid Reflux Control Recommended Dose:

Guardium Acid Reflux Control is only available to individuals over 18.
One pill per day is the recommended dosage (daily dose: 20 mg Esomeprazole)

Pantoloc Control

Pantoprazole is another PPI that is used to treat heartburn symptoms. Pantoloc Control is classified as a P medication. This implies that Pantoloc cannot be purchased over the counter in a local store. It can only be obtained from a pharmacy with the assistance of a prescription.

Pantoloc Control comes in two pack sizes: seven and fourteen pills. Pantoprazole’s short-term efficacy in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease was comparable to other PPIs, such as Omeprazole and Esomeprazole (Dias, 2009). Pantoprazole (20mg) is contained in each Pantoloc Control pill.

Pantoloc Control is not available in all pharmacies; however, some can order this drug separately for pickup from a pharmacy the same or the next day.

Pantoloc Control Recommended Dose:

One pill per day is the recommended daily dosage (daily dose: 20 mg of Pantoprazole).

Ranitidine

PPIs are no longer being used. Ranitidine is a medicine in the H2 Rantagonistseceptor class (H2 Receptor Blockers). H2 receptor antagonists have a different chemistry than PPIs and function differently to decrease acid generation. Ranitidine helps treat heartburn and indigestion symptoms; however, PPIs are superior (more effective) in treating GORD symptoms than Ranitidine (Sigterman et al., 2013).

Ranitidine is sold under various brand names, the most well-known of which is Zantac. Ranitidine is available in supermarkets and commercial pharmacies. Each over-the-counter Ranitidine pill contains 75mg of Ranitidine. Ranitidine is significantly less expensive than over-the-counter PPIs. Ranitidine is available at most pharmacies and bigger supermarkets. Each capsule of over-the-countRanitidineine includes 75mg of Ranitidine.

Ranitidine Over The Counter: Recommended Daily Dose

Over-the-counter Ranitidine is approved for adults and adolescents over the age of 16.
On the commencement of symptoms, one tablet (75Ranitidineine) should be administered.
In 24 hours, no more than two pills should be consumed.

Ranitidine Recalls: Supply Issues

Most Ranitidine 75mg products, including Zantac and most supermarkets’ own labeled versions of Ranitidineine, and prescription-onRanitidineine, have been recalled in recent months due to possible contamination with N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is classified as a ‘probable human Carcinogen.’

This is a global problem, with several Ranitidine products in the United States possessing levels of NDMA that exceed the proper daily dosage—the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency investigating in the United Kingdom (MHRA). The Ranitidine product supply has been interrupted, with no stock available. More information on Ranitidineine recalls, and the link between NDMA and cancer may be found in Ranitidineine identifies updates and patient information.
Some may wonder why PPIs are more effective than H2-receptor antagonists.

The discrepancy in efficacy is due to the distinct modes of action of PPIs and H2 receptor antagonists. In layperson’s terms, H2 Receptor Antagonists reduce acid generation by inhibiting only one acid production route. PPIs, conversely, inhibit the proton pump, which is involved in the last stage of acid secretion. Because of their action method, they are more effective than H2 Receptor Antagonists.

Also read, Ranitidine Vs Omeprazole: which is effective?

Antacids As Over Counter Omeprazole Alternative

Antacids are the least productive of the three medication classes examined thus far. Conversely, antacids give quick, short-term relief from heartburn symptoms by neutralizing stomach acid. Antacid can be acquired through pharmacies and other retail locations.

There are several antacid products on the market. Antacids are available in various formats, including chewable pills and, most often, liquid formulations.
Antacid product names that are popular include

Gaviscon comes in chewable pills and liquid form.
Chewable heartburn and indigestion pills from Rennie
Tums chewable pills
Peptac solution

Omeprazole Alternative: Prescription-Only Options

The following PPIs are available as prescription-only medication:

Lansoprazole

Lansoprazole 15mg or 30mg pills are the most typically given dosages. However, it is crucial to remember that Lansoprazole is accessible without a prescription if you suffer from heartburn. There will be a little difference from the prescription-only Lansoprazole in this scenario.
Lansoprazole comes as 15mg and 30mg Orodispersible tablets (in generic ‘cheaper’ version) and a trademarked product named ZotonFasTab. Orodispersible tablets are applied to the tongue and allowed to dissolve in the mouth, releasing gastro-resistant micro granules ingested with saliva (eMC, 2019).

Esomeprazole

Another Omeprazole option is gastro-resistant capsules and tablets (20mg and 40mg) sold generically and under several brands such as Nexium. Nexium 10 mg gastro-resistant granules for oral suspension is another name for Nexium. To make a suspension, esomeprazole granules are combined with water. You can read more about Omeprazole Vs Esomeprazole.

Pantoprazole

Pantoprazole, a less common medicine, is a prescription-only treatment in 20mg and 40mg gastro-resistant tablets.

Rabeprazole

Rabeprazole is the final PPI accessible as an Omeprazole substitute. In the United Kingdom, rabeprazole is the least usually given PPI. Rabeprazole is another prescription-only medication. OTC rabeprazole is not available. Rabeprazole 10mg and 10mg gastro-resistant pills are available.

Omeprazole Liquid

Omeprazole liquid can be created especially for persons with difficulty swallowing or newborns and toddlers. On this page, you will learn more about Omeprazole liquid: indications, unique forms, pricing, and availability.

H2 Receptor Antagonist On Prescription

Ranitidine is available for Prescription only in 150mg and 300mg tablets. Ranitidine can also be administered as an oral solution, known as Ranitidine 150mg/10ml oral solution, and as the branded product Zantac Syrup ( 150mg Ranitidineine per 10ml). Ranitidine oral solution is indicated for newborns (young people) or individuals with difficulty swallowing.

Other prescription-only H2 blockers include:

Cimetidine, Famotidine, and Nizatidine are the other three medicines seldom recommended in the United Kingdom. The pharmaceuticals above’ supply have been affected due to increased demand-induced Ranitidineine recalls.

Final Words From Az Drug

Anyone with heartburn symptoms for more than three weeks should see their doctor. Patients should be aware of other symptoms necessitating GP referral, such as weight loss (for no apparent cause), repeated bouts of illness (NHS, 2017), etc. For additional information about indigestion, go to the NHS website. Weight loss and other lifestyle modifications can help to lessen heartburn occurrences. Other lifestyle changes to consider include; Reducing your intake of coffee, Reducing your consumption of alcohol, Quitting smoking, and Avoiding acid-producing foods.

Disclaimer: Please see your healthcare practitioner for any medical queries or concerns. Peer-reviewed research and information from medical societies and government agencies are used to support the articles in Health Guide. They are not, however, a replacement for expert medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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