Omeprazole

Introduction

Written by Dedra Weiss, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA
Updated on May 7, 2023

Omeprazole comes as a delayed-release* capsule that you swallow. A brand-name version of the drug is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) tablet. Omeprazole also comes OTC in other forms taken by mouth. But these OTC medications aren’t approved for the same uses as prescription omeprazole. This article focuses on prescription omeprazole.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved omeprazole to reduce the amount of stomach acid in adults to treat:

• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• gastric and duodenal ulcers
• conditions that cause too much stomach acid to be made
• inflammation and ulcers in the esophagus lining
• Helicobacter pylori-related stomach infections

The drug is used in some children to treat certain conditions, too. For more information on its uses in children, see this article.

Read on to learn about omeprazole and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about omeprazole, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

* Delayed release means the drug is released into your body after it passes through your stomach.

Cost of omeprazole

Like other medications, the cost of omeprazole can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• your treatment plan

To find out how much omeprazole costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for omeprazole” section.

Coupons for omeprazole

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of omeprazole. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Common questions about omeprazole and cost

Here are some common questions about omeprazole and their answers. 

Will omeprazole 20 mg cost less than omeprazole 40 mg?

Yes, the cost of omeprazole 20 mg will likely be less than the cost of omeprazole 40 mg. Different strengths of the drug can vary in price. But the cost difference is usually minimal.

Your cost depends on factors such as your health insurance coverage and the pharmacy you use. Your pharmacist or an insurance representative can tell you the exact amount you’ll pay.

Does omeprazole come as a liquid? If so, does it cost more than the capsule?

The generic drug omeprazole comes as a delayed-release* capsule that you take by mouth. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. An active drug is the ingredient that makes medication work.

A brand-name version of omeprazole called Prilosec comes as a liquid suspension that you take by mouth. A liquid suspension is a type of liquid mixture.

Omeprazole also comes as a liquid in combination with another drug called sodium bicarbonate. This medication comes as granules and a powder that can be made into a liquid suspension.

Typically, brand-name medications cost more than generic medications. The type of insurance plan you have and the pharmacy you use can also affect the cost.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about the cost of your treatment options. They can recommend the one that’s right for you.

* Delayed release means the drug is released into your body after it passes through your stomach.

Is there a cost difference between prescription and over-the-counter forms of omeprazole?

Yes, there is. The cost without insurance for prescription omeprazole is more than that of the over-the-counter (OTC) form. That said, the cost of prescription omeprazole may be reduced if you have insurance coverage or a coupon.

Prescription and OTC omeprazole have the same active ingredient, but they aren’t used to treat the same conditions. And they can’t be used interchangeably.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about the differences between prescription and OTC omeprazole.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. An active drug is the ingredient that makes medication work.

This competition may help keep the costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So, they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor.

Insurance and other considerations for omeprazole

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of omeprazole. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for omeprazole. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re taking omeprazole long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand-names

Omeprazole delayed-release* capsule is a generic medication. This form isn’t available as a brand-name version. Still, a brand-name liquid suspension (a type of liquid mixture) called Prilosec is available.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. An active drug is the ingredient that makes medication work. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re considered as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

If your doctor has prescribed omeprazole but you’re interested in taking Prilosec, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.

To learn how the cost of omeprazole compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

* Delayed release means the drug is released into your body after it passes through your stomach.

What to ask about calcitonin

This article provides cost information related to omeprazole. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for omeprazole.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• How do the costs of omeprazole compare at different pharmacies in the same area?
• Are there other alternative drugs for my condition? If so, how do their costs compare to omeprazole?
• Does Medicare cover omeprazole?

Resources

• Drug pricing calculator. (2023). https://www.needymeds.org/drug-pricing
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Omeprazole capsule, delayed release. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/5bda70ae-c3f6-450b-892f-6814795dd6ca/spl-doc
• Prilosec (omeprazole magnesium) for delayed-release oral suspension. (2022). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/022056s025lbl.pdf

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.