Proton Pump Inhibitors are potent medications that can block the acid production of the parietal cells of the stomach.
| Brand Name | Generic Name | Generic Available | Over The Counter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prilosec | omeprazole | Yes | Prilosec OTC |
| Prevacid | lansoprazole | Yes | Prevacid 24 |
| Aciphex | rabeprazole | in 2013 | |
| Protonix | pantoprazole | Yes | |
| Zegerid | omeprazole/bicarbonate | Yes | Zegerid |
| Dexilant | dexlansoprazole | No |
Prilosec, Prevacid, and Zegerid are available over the counter at low doses. Pantoprazole and omeprazole are available as generics. Rabeprazole is also available as a generic in Canada. All Delayed Release PPI are best taken on an empty stomach, because they are enteric coated. They also all need to be activated by a meal, so optimally are taken 30 to 60 minutes prior to eating a protein containing meal. Zegerid is immediate release and is activated by bicarbonate in the powder or capsule. All the others are delayed release and require food preferably half an hour to one hour after the medication to activate the drug. All the PPI are prodrugs that need to be activated. Taking it at the wrong time such as Nexium at bedtime may lead to disappointing results.
[xyz-ihs snippet=”Expertise”]Photo By: Jeffrey Pang