This article explains how pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule are similar and different. You can view detailed articles about pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule if you’d like more information about these drugs.
Questions about pantoprazole and omeprazole
Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions about pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule.
Is it safe to take pantoprazole or omeprazole long term?
It depends on the condition you’re using either drug to treat.
Both pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule can cause certain side effects if used long term. These side effects include an increased risk of bone fractures (breaks), low blood magnesium level, and low blood vitamin B12 level.*
However, in certain conditions, the benefits of taking either drug long term may outweigh the risks for side effects. For example, either drug may be prescribed long term to treat conditions that cause high levels of stomach acid long term. An example of this is Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.†
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about possible long-term uses for pantoprazole or omeprazole and possible risks.
* For more details about pantoprazole’s and omeprazole’s side effects, see the “Side effects of pantoprazole and omeprazole” section below.
† To learn about the uses of pantoprazole and omeprazole, see the “Uses of pantoprazole and omeprazole” section below.
Why may my doctor recommend switching from pantoprazole to omeprazole?
It depends. Your doctor may recommend switching from pantoprazole oral tablet to omeprazole oral capsule or vice versa if one drug isn’t working to treat your condition. They may also do so if you’re having bothersome or serious side effects from either drug.
Talk with your doctor to learn more about the treatment plan for your condition and whether switching medications is right for you.
Between pantoprazole and omeprazole, is one a better treatment for certain gastrointestinal conditions?
Doctors may prescribe either pantoprazole oral tablet or omeprazole oral capsule to reduce stomach acid levels due to gastrointestinal conditions. In studies, pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule were both effective for this purpose.
That said, these medications differ in some ways. For instance:
- Pantoprazole comes as tablets you’ll take by mouth, while omeprazole come as capsules you’ll take by mouth.
- Omeprazole is approved to treat ulcers (sores) in the stomach or duodenum (a part of the small intestine). Pantoprazole is not approved for this use.
Keep in mind that your results from taking pantoprazole oral tablet or omeprazole oral capsule 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.
How does pantoprazole and omeprazole compare with esomeprazole?
Pantoprazole, omeprazole, and esomeprazole are all proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs. They’re used for similar conditions and are taken in similar ways.
Pantoprazole comes as tablets you’ll take by mouth, while esomeprazole and omeprazole come as capsules you’ll take by mouth. These drugs also come in other forms.
One key difference is that esomeprazole is also approved to lower the risk of ulcers caused by taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen. Pantoprazole and omeprazole are not approved for this use. Omeprazole is approved to treat ulcers in the stomach or duodenum, while pantoprazole and esomeprazole are not approved for this use. (For more details about pantoprazole’s and omeprazole’s approved uses, see the “Uses of pantoprazole and omeprazole” section below.)
How you can get the drugs also vary. Pantoprazole is only available with a prescription. Omeprazole and esomeprazole are available over the counter and with a prescription.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to learn more about how these different PPI drugs compare.
Side effects of pantoprazole and omeprazole
Pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule 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 pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule 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 pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule. You can also check out these articles about pantoprazole oral tablet side effects and omeprazole oral capsule side effects.
Mild side effects
Below are some of the mild side effects reported with pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule:
| pantoprazole oral tablet | omeprazole oral capsule | |
| diarrhea | ✓ | ✓ |
| nausea and vomiting | ✓ | ✓ |
| headache | ✓ | ✓ |
| abdominal pain | ✓ | ✓ |
| mild allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
Serious side effects
Below are serious side effects reported with pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule:
| pantoprazole oral tablet | omeprazole oral capsule | |
|---|---|---|
| acute nephritis (sudden kidney inflammation) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clostridioides difficile infection (a type of bacterial infection) with serious diarrhea | ✓ | ✓ |
| increased risk of bone fractures (breaks) with long-term use | ✓ | ✓ |
| new or worsening low blood vitamin B12 level with long-term use | ✓ | ✓ |
| new or worsening low blood magnesium level with long-term use | ✓ | ✓ |
| polyps (noncancerous growths) in the stomach lining | ✓ | ✓ |
| new or worsening lupus (a type of autoimmune disease) | ✓ | ✓ |
| serious allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
With pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule, serious side effects are possible, but they’re not common. If you have serious side effects from pantoprazole oral tablet or omeprazole oral capsule, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe or you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Dosage of pantoprazole and omeprazole
Below is dosage information for the conditions that both pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule are prescribed to treat. To find detailed dosage information for all conditions that pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule treat, see these articles about pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule dosage.
The following dosages are provided by the drugmakers of pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule. 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.
Pantoprazole’s dosage
Below is a summary of pantoprazole oral tablet’s recommended dosages in adults. Strength is measured in milligrams (mg).
| Purpose | How it’s taken | Recommended dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| treat and heal erosive esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) in adults | delayed-release (DR)* oral tablet | 40 mg | once per day |
| treat conditions related to high levels of stomach acid, including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome | DR oral tablet | 40 mg† | twice per day |
* With delayed release, the drug is not immediately released once it reaches your stomach.
† A doctor may prescribe higher doses in certain cases.
Omeprazole’s dosage
Below is a summary of omeprazole oral capsule’s recommended dosages in adults. Strength is measured in (mg).
| Purpose | How it’s taken | Recommended dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| treat and heal erosive esophagitis in adults | DR oral capsule | 20 mg | once per day |
| treat conditions related to high levels of stomach acid, including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome | DR oral capsule | 60 mg* | once per day |
* A doctor may prescribe a higher dosage in certain cases.
Cost of pantoprazole and omeprazole
As with the cost of other medications, the cost of pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule 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
Coupons and cost savings
To view drug prices when Optum Perks coupons are applied, see this coupon page for pantoprazole oral tablet and this coupon page for omeprazole oral capsule. 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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Generic or biosimilar versions
Both pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule are generic medications.
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.) Pantoprazole is the generic for the brand-name drug Protonix, and omeprazole is the generic for the brand-name drug Prilosec.
Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.
Uses of pantoprazole and omeprazole
Here’s a summary of pantoprazole oral tablet’s and omeprazole oral capsule’s approved uses:
| pantoprazole oral tablet | omeprazole oral capsule | |
|---|---|---|
| Approved uses | • treat erosive esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) related to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also called acid reflux • maintain healing of erosive esophagitis • treat conditions related to high levels of stomach acid, including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome | • treat erosive esophagitis related to GERD • maintain healing of erosive esophagitis • treat conditions related to high levels of stomach acid, including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome • treat ulcers (sores) in the stomach or small intestine • treat acid reflux symptoms for up to four weeks • treat Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection* (a type of bacterial infection) |
| Prescribed to | adults and children ages 5 years and older | adults and children ages 2 years and older |
To treat H. pylori infection, omeprazole oral capsule is prescribed together with certain antibiotics, including clarithromycin and amoxicillin.
If you’d like to know more about using either medication for your condition, ask your doctor. They can recommend whether pantoprazole oral tablet or omeprazole oral capsule is an option to consider.
Warnings for pantoprazole and omeprazole
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 pantoprazole oral tablet or omeprazole oral capsule, and others should use either medication with caution.
Warnings for pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule are summarized below. 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 pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule are summarized in the table below:
| pantoprazole oral tablet | omeprazole oral capsule | |
|---|---|---|
| low blood vitamin B12 level | ✓ | ✓ |
| low blood magnesium level | ✓ | ✓ |
| liver conditions, such as alcohol-related liver disease | ✓ | |
| lupus | ✓ | ✓ |
| osteopenia or osteoporosis | ✓ | ✓ |
| allergic reaction to either drug or any of their ingredients | ✓ | ✓ |
| currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant | ✓ | ✓ |
| currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed | ✓ | ✓ |
You can view more detailed articles about pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule if you’d like to know more about warnings for these drugs. You can also view the prescribing information for pantoprazole oral tablet and omeprazole oral capsule.
What to ask a doctor
If you’re trying to decide whether pantoprazole oral tablet or omeprazole oral capsule 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:
- How will you decide whether omeprazole or pantoprazole is a better choice for treating erosive esophagitis?
- If I have side effects from omeprazole or pantoprazole, how likely am I to have side effects if I switch to the other medication?
- If I’m prescribed omeprazole or pantoprazole, how will I be monitored for side effects?
- Are interactions similar between omeprazole and pantoprazole?
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.