Ppi(protonix) versus h2 antagonist(pepcid, etc) side effects?

Question

have been taking protonix 40mg for esophagitis which has healed the problem. I am interested in switching to a h2 antagonist like pepcid or tagamet, if they generally produce less side effects?
My doctor has said that protonix and prilosec at prescription strengths can cause some rare irregular hearbeat symptoms but that it is rare. I was wondering if pepcid and tagamet are better tolerated, and if so is there one of them that is available once-a-day over the counter?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 antagonists both inhibit gastric secretions, but work a little differently.

First of all PPIs typically aren't recommended for use over 16 weeks. So have another discussion with your physician to find out how long they want you on Protonix. If it's over 16 weeks, talk to them about why.

As far as Pepcid (famotidine) goes, it's 20 - 160 times more potent than Tagamet (cimetidine) and 3 - 20 times more potent than Zantac (ranitidine). They are all H2 antagonists. And while the numbers sound a little scary, they just mean that they are progressively stronger than the previous drug.

All these medications are generally used for short-term treatment of uclers, either those caused by GERD like your esophagitis, or duodenal ulcers. Pepcid was the only one who had an unlabled use for stress ulcer prophylaxis (meaning normally longer term use to prevent the formation of stress ulcers). As for side effects, this is something you'd really have to talk to your doctor about because they would understand what you're on currently, how the medications could interact, how you have responded to other medications, what your condition needs and will allow treatment for, and a whole slew of other things that need to be considered when medications are involved.

While many of these medications are available over the counter (whether once-a-day or not, I'm not sure), PLEASE talk to your doctor more thoroughly about switching medications. Because you've had a condition that has just healed, your doctor really needs to be the one answering these questions. I provided a little bit of medication information, but they need to be the ones helping you decide which medication would be better tolerated by you specifically because, again, 1) they know you/your body, other medications you're taking, and the whole situation/picture, and 2) because they are medical doctors and the only ones really qualified to make these decisions.

I wish you luck. Take care.

Source(s):

Student nurse, graduating December, 2007