This article explains how omeprazole DR oral capsule and famotidine oral tablet are similar and different. You can view detailed articles about omeprazole DR oral capsule and famotidine oral tablet if you’d like more information about these drugs.
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Cost of omeprazole and famotidine
As with the cost of other medications, the cost of omeprazole DR oral capsule and famotidine oral tablet can vary. Their price may be affected by:
- whether they’re covered by health insurance, if you have coverage
- the pharmacy they’re purchased from
- the quantity you’re prescribed
Coupons and cost savings
To view drug prices when Optum Perks coupons are applied, see this coupon page for omeprazole DR oral capsule and this coupon page for famotidine oral tablet. You can also check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
The options described in this article may also help you save on your prescription.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.
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Brand-name versions
Omeprazole DR oral capsule and famotidine oral tablet are generic medications. These drugs are not available in brand-name versions.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about generic or brand-name medications.
Uses of omeprazole and famotidine
Here’s a summary of the approved uses of omeprazole DR oral capsule and famotidine oral tablet:
| omeprazole DR oral capsule | famotidine oral tablet | |
|---|---|---|
| Approved uses | • treat ulcers in the stomach or upper part of the small intestine • treat Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, to reduce the risk of developing another ulcer in the upper part of the small intestine • treat heartburn and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) • treat and heal erosive esophagitis due to GERD • treat certain conditions related to too much stomach acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome | • treat ulcers in the stomach or upper part of the small intestine • reduce the risk of developing another ulcer in the upper part of the small intestine • treat heartburn and other symptoms of GERD • treat erosive esophagitis due to GERD • treat certain conditions related to too much stomach acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome |
| Prescribed to | • adults for all uses • children ages 2 years and older for some uses | • adults for all uses • children who weigh at least 40 kilograms (kg),* which is about 88 pounds (lb), for some uses |
* 1 kg is about 2.2 lb.
Omeprazole DR oral capsule is prescribed together with other drugs, such as clarithromycin with or without amoxicillin, to treat H. pylori infection. This is to reduce the risk of another ulcer in the upper part of the small intestine.
If you’d like to know more about taking either medication for your condition, ask your doctor. They can recommend whether omeprazole DR oral capsule or famotidine oral tablet is an option to consider.
Dosage of omeprazole and famotidine
Below is dosage information for the conditions that both omeprazole DR oral capsule and famotidine oral tablet are prescribed to treat and help prevent. To find detailed dosage information for all conditions that these drugs treat and help prevent, see these articles about omeprazole DR oral capsule dosage and famotidine oral tablet dosage.
Below are dosages provided by the drugmakers of omeprazole DR oral capsule and famotidine oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes either medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. They’ll advise the dosage that’s best for your condition. Do not adjust your dosage without first talking with your doctor.
Omeprazole DR oral capsule’s dosage
Below is a summary of the recommended dosages of omeprazole delayed-release (DR) oral capsule for adults and children. (With delayed release, the drug is released after it leaves your stomach.)
Omeprazole DR oral capsule’s dosage in adults
Below is a summary of omeprazole DR oral capsule’s recommended dosages in adults. Strength is measured in milligrams (mg).
| Purpose | How it’s taken | Recommended dosage and frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| treat stomach ulcer | by mouth | 40 mg once per day | 4–8 weeks |
| treat ulcer in the upper part of the small intestine | by mouth | 20 mg once per day | 4 weeks |
| treat H. pylori infection, along with other drugs | by mouth | 20 mg twice per day or 40 mg once per day, depending on the other drugs taken with omeprazole | 10–14 days, with longer durations recommended for people who have an ulcer |
| treat symptoms of GERD | by mouth | 20 mg once per day | up to 4 weeks |
| treat and heal erosive esophagitis due to GERD | by mouth | 20 mg once per day | • for treatment: 4–8 weeks • for healing: up to 12 months |
| treat certain conditions related to too much stomach acid | by mouth | 60 mg once per day to start, increased as needed up to 120 mg three times per day, based on your doctor’s recommendation | as long as needed |
Omeprazole DR oral capsule’s dosage in children
Below is a summary of omeprazole DR oral capsule’s recommended dosages in children ages 2–16 years. Strength is measured in mg. The specific dosage is based on whether the child weighs less than 20 kilograms (kg), which is about 44 pounds (lb), or at least 20 kg. (1 kg is about 2.2 lb.)
| Purpose | How it’s taken | Recommended dosage and frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| treat symptoms of GERD | by mouth | 10 or 20 mg once per day, based on weight | up to 4 weeks |
| treat and heal erosive esophagitis due to GERD | by mouth | 10 or 20 mg once per day, based on weight | • for treatment: 4–8 weeks • for healing: up to 12 months |
Famotidine oral tablet’s dosage in adults and children
Below is a summary of famotidine oral tablet’s recommended dosages in adults and children. Strength is measured in mg. The dosages below are for children who weigh at least 40 kg, which is about 88 lb. Doctors typically prescribe a different form of famotidine for children who weigh less than 40 kg.
| Purpose | How it’s taken | Recommended dosage and frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| treat stomach ulcer in adults and children | by mouth | 40 mg once per day | up to 8 weeks |
| treat ulcer in the upper part of the small intestine in adults and children | by mouth | 40 mg once per day or 20 mg twice per day | up to 8 weeks |
| treat symptoms of GERD in adults and children | by mouth | 20 mg twice per day | up to 6 weeks |
| treat erosive esophagitis due to GERD in adults and children | by mouth | 20 or 40 mg twice per day | up to 12 weeks |
| reduce the risk of another ulcer in the upper part of the small intestine in adults | by mouth | 20 mg once per day | 1 year or as long as needed |
| treat certain conditions related to too much stomach acid in adults | by mouth | 20 mg every 6 hours, increased as needed up to a maximum of 160 mg every 6 hours based on your doctor’s recommendation | as long as needed |
Side effects of omeprazole and famotidine
Omeprazole DR oral capsule and famotidine oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Some of the more common mild side effects of each drug are listed below. Serious side effects of omeprazole DR oral capsule and famotidine oral tablet are also listed.
Keep in mind that your side effects may differ from those listed below. They can vary based on your overall health, any other medications you take, and your age.
This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of these medications. To find more information, you can view the prescribing information for omeprazole DR oral capsule and famotidine oral tablet. You can also check out these articles about omeprazole DR oral capsule side effects and famotidine oral tablet side effects.
Mild side effects
Below are some of the mild side effects reported with omeprazole DR oral capsule and famotidine oral tablet:
| omeprazole DR oral capsule | famotidine oral tablet | |
|---|---|---|
| headache | ✓ | ✓ |
| dizziness | ✓ | ✓ |
| diarrhea | ✓ | ✓ |
| constipation | ✓ | ✓ |
| abdominal pain | ✓ | ✓ |
| mild allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
Serious side effects
Below are serious side effects reported with omeprazole DR oral capsule and famotidine oral tablet:
| omeprazole DR oral capsule | famotidine oral tablet | |
|---|---|---|
| central nervous system (CNS) side effects, such as hallucinations or seizures | ✓* | ✓ |
| heart palpitations | ✓* | ✓ |
| low platelet levels | ✓* | ✓ |
| high liver enzyme levels | ✓* | ✓ |
| changes in mental health, such as anxiety or depression | ✓* | ✓ |
| ringing in the ears | ✓* | ✓ |
| sexual side effects, such as impotence | ✓* | ✓ |
| difficulty breathing | ✓* | ✓ |
| acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (a type of kidney condition) | ✓* | |
| Clostridioides difficile-related diarrhea | ✓* | |
| bone fracture (bone break) | ✓* | |
| severe skin reactions | ✓* | |
| lupus (a type of autoimmune condition) | ✓* | |
| vitamin B12 deficiency | ✓* | |
| low blood magnesium level | ✓* | |
| stomach polyps (growths) | ✓* | |
| serious allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
* This side effect was not reported in clinical studies of omeprazole DR oral capsule, but it was reported once the drug became available for use.
With a lot of drugs, serious side effects are possible, but they’re not common. If you have serious side effects from omeprazole DR oral capsule or famotidine oral tablet, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe or you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Questions about omeprazole and famotidine
Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions about omeprazole DR oral capsule and famotidine oral tablet.
Is omeprazole or famotidine the safer treatment option?
It depends. Whether omeprazole or famotidine is safer for you varies based on factors such as:
- the condition you’re taking the drug for
- your age, other medical conditions, and other medications you take
- how long you’ll need to take the drug
Either drug may have possible mild or serious side effects. And doctors may not recommend either of them if you have certain factors affecting your health. These are referred to as a drug’s warnings.
But not treating certain conditions can also have risks. For example, not treating an ulcer could lead to serious problems, such as bleeding, infection, or a blockage.
If you have questions about whether omeprazole or famotidine is a safer option for you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you more specific advice based on your health. For details about the side effects of omeprazole or famotidine, see the “Side effects of omeprazole and famotidine” section above. For information about the warnings of these drugs, see the “Warnings for omeprazole and famotidine” section below.
Can I take omeprazole and famotidine together?
Doctors usually do not recommend taking omeprazole and famotidine together. This is because combining them may not give added benefits, especially in the long term.
Omeprazole is in a group of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors. Famotidine is in a group of drugs known as H2 blockers. Doctors use both drugs to treat similar conditions and reduce acid in the stomach. But they work differently. They also have some different side effects and warnings.
If you find that one of these drugs isn’t treating your condition well enough, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss the risks and benefits of omeprazole and famotidine. They can also recommend the best way to take either medication so they effectively treat your condition.
Between omeprazole DR oral capsule and famotidine oral tablet, is one a better treatment for ulcers?
Doctors may prescribe either omeprazole DR oral capsule or famotidine oral tablet to treat ulcers in the stomach or upper part of the small intestine. In studies, omeprazole DR oral capsule and famotidine oral tablet were each effective for this purpose.
That said, these medications differ in some ways. For instance, they:
- work in different ways to reduce acid in the stomach
- may have different side effects and warnings
- come in different forms
- may have different dosing schedules
- doctors may prescribe them to different age groups
Keep in mind that your results from taking omeprazole DR oral capsule or famotidine oral tablet may differ from those seen in studies.
Your doctor can help determine whether one option is better for your condition. They’ll recommend this based on your specific needs and health factors. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about which drug is right for you.
Warnings for omeprazole and famotidine
Some medications may not be recommended for you if you have certain factors affecting your health. These are referred to as a drug’s warnings.
Some people should not take omeprazole DR oral capsule or famotidine oral tablet, and others should take either medication with caution. Before taking either medication, talk with your doctor about your health conditions, past surgeries, and any medications you take. Your doctor can recommend whether either drug is safe for you.
Warnings for omeprazole DR oral capsule and famotidine oral tablet are summarized in the table below:
| omeprazole DR oral capsule | famotidine oral tablet | |
|---|---|---|
| CNS side effects, such as confusion, delirium, hallucinations, and seizures | ✓ | |
| QT prolongation, which could lead to irregular heart rhythm | ✓ | |
| acute tubulointerstitial nephritis | ✓ | |
| Clostridioides difficile-related diarrhea | ✓ | |
| bone fracture | ✓ | |
| severe skin reactions | ✓ | |
| lupus | ✓ | |
| vitamin B12 deficiency | ✓ | |
| low blood magnesium level | ✓ | |
| stomach polyps | ✓ | |
| taking rilpivirine, clopidogrel, St. John’s wort, rifampin, or methotrexate | ✓ | |
| allergic reaction to either drug or any of their ingredients | ✓ | ✓ |
You can view more detailed articles about omeprazole DR oral capsule and famotidine oral tablet if you’d like to know more about warnings for these drugs. You can also view the prescribing information for omeprazole DR oral capsule and famotidine oral tablet.
What to ask a doctor
If you’re trying to decide whether omeprazole DR oral capsule or famotidine oral tablet is better for you, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best option.
Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does omeprazole or famotidine interact with any other drugs I’m taking?
- Would omeprazole or famotidine be a better choice for me based on my health factors?
- How long should it take before I feel a difference by taking omeprazole or famotidine?
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.