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Generic Alternatives to Nexium
Nexium is the brand name of the generic drug esomeprazole, and belongs in a class of medications known as proton pump inhibitors 1. It works by turning off, at the cellular level, the part of the stomach, the proton pump, that produces stomach acid, according to Medline Plus 124. It is prescribed by doctors to treat frequent heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease and stomach ulcers. As of 2010, the generic form of Nexium is not available for purchase in the United States, and patients concerned about Nexium's high cost may want to consider other generic proton pump inhibitors on the market.
Omeprazole
Omeprazole is the generic name of the brand name drug Prilosec 2. Like Nexium, omeprazole works by turning off the acid-producing mechanism in the stomach, or the proton pump, according to Medline Plus 124. Omeprazole is available for purchase over-the-counter 2. ConsumerReports.org lists the average monthly price--as of 2010--of taking omeprazole at $19, compared to $240 for Nexium 2. Patients should consult with their doctors before switching from a prescription medication to an over-the-counter medication.
Pantoprazole
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Pantoprazole is the generic name of the brand name drug Protonix 3. Pantoprazole is another proton pump inhibitor, but unlike omeprazole, pantoprazole requires a prescription from a doctor 23. ConsumerReports.org reports that generic pantoprazole costs about $140 a month 3.
Prevacid 24
While not available in generic form, Prevacid 24 is another proton pump inhibitor that is available for purchase over-the-counter. According to ConsumerReports.org, the average monthly cost of taking Prevacid 24 is $23. Patients looking for an alternative to Nexium may want to ask their doctors if Prevacid 24 is right for them.
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References
- Medline Plus: Esomeprazole
- Medline Plus: Omeprazole
- RxList: Pantoprazole
- Medline Plus: Lansoprazole
- González P, Soriano V, López P, Niveiro E. Anaphylaxis to proton pump inhibitors. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2002;30(6):342-3. doi: 10.1016/s0301-0546(02)79150-7
- Bonadonna P, Lombardo C, Bortolami O, et al. Hypersensitivity to proton pump inhibitors: diagnostic accuracy of skin tests compared to oral provocation test. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012;130(2):547-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.04.048
- Lobera T, Navarro B, Del pozo MD, et al. Nine cases of omeprazole allergy: cross-reactivity between proton pump inhibitors. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2009;19(1):57-60.
- Pérez pimiento AJ, Prieto lastra L, Rodríguez cabreros MI, González sánchez LA, Mosquera MR, Cubero AG. Hypersensitivity to lansoprazole and rabeprazole with tolerance to other proton pump inhibitors. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006;117(3):707-8. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2005.11.001
- Chang YS. Hypersensitivity Reactions to Proton Pump Inhibitors. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012;12:348-53.
Writer Bio
Cynthia Bateman is a student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where she is pursuing her Master of Arts in English with an emphasis in composition pedagogy. She has most recently been published in the literary journal, "River Bluff Review." She is also a registered professional nurse.