Zantac vs Prilosec: Difference and Comparison

Zantac, also known by its generic name Ranitidine, is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Omeprazole is the generic name for Prilosec, a well-known over-the-counter medicine.

Zantac can induce mental issues, convulsions, and severe abdominal pain in those who take it for an extended period. The usage of Prilosec has also been linked to the development of tiny stomach tumors.

Diarrhea, Fever, Vomiting, Rash, and Flatulence are some of the most prevalent adverse effects.

Key Takeaways

  1. Zantac and Prilosec are both medications used to treat gastrointestinal disorders.
  2. Zantac works by blocking the production of stomach acid, while Prilosec reduces the amount of acid produced in the stomach.
  3. Zantac has been discontinued due to concerns about potential cancer risk, while Prilosec is still available for use.

Zantac vs. Prilosec

Zantac is medication used to treat  conditions like heartburn and stomach ulcers and is an H2 blocker that reduces stomach acid production. Prilosec is medication used to treat  conditions like heartburn and stomach ulcers and is a proton pump inhibitor, which blocks the enzyme in the stomach lining responsible for acid production.

Zantac vs Prilosec

Zantac is a Histamine (H2) Blocker, which helps to reduce acid production by inhibiting potential triggering receptors in the stomach. Patients diagnosed with Zantac can expect to be cured in a year or longer.

Symptoms must be reduced and stabilized. On the other hand, this drug is only prescribed to people with acute ulcers. Only yellow and peach colors can be seen in the physical look of Zantac.

Prilosec falls into the Proton Pump Inhibitor category, which helps block the already generated secreted acid inside the stomach. When individuals are diagnosed with Prilosec, they can expect to be cured in twelve weeks or less.

As a result, Prilosec’s effect is observed faster than Zantac’s. Capsules are the most common type of Prilosec. These capsules are peach or apricot in color and weigh between 10 and 40 mg.

The usage of Prilosec has been linked to the development of tiny tumors in the stomach.

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonZantacPrilosec
Generic name RanitidineOmeprazole
Effect Works late Works faster
Drug classificationH2 Blocker Proton Pump Inhibitor
Time taken 12 months12 weeks
Major side effects Mental disorders, seizures, severe abdominal pain.Stomach tumors, ulcers.

What is Zantac?

Zantac is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication with the generic name Ranitidine. Regarding medication classification, Zantac is classified as a Histamine (H2) Blocker, which helps reduce acid production by blocking potential triggering receptors in the stomach.

Zantac cannot counteract the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a condition in which the stomach produces too much acid. Patients diagnosed with Zantac can expect to be cured in twelve months or longer.

The signs and symptoms must be reduced and stabilized.

This drug is only given to people who have acute ulcers. Only yellow and peach colors can be seen in the physical appearance of the drug Zantac. The yellow-colored tablets are 300 mg apiece, whereas the peach-colored tablets are 150 mg each.

The tablets are pentagonal. Taking Zantac for an extended amount of time can result in mental issues, convulsions, and severe gastrointestinal pain.

zantac

What is Prilosec?

Omeprazole is the generic name for the well-known OTC medication Prilosec. When it comes to classification, Prilosec falls under the category of Proton Pump Inhibitor, which aids in the blocking of secreted acid that has already been generated inside the stomach.

Prilosec was created to combat the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a condition in which the stomach produces too much acid. When patients are diagnosed with Prilosec in favorable situations, they can expect to be cured in twelve weeks or less.

As a result, it can be inferred that the effect of Prilosec is more noticeable than that of Zantac.

Capsules are the most common form of Prilosec drug. These capsules are peach or apricot in color and weigh between 10, 20, and 40 mg.

The usage of Prilosec has also been linked to the development of tiny tumors in the stomach. Diarrhea, Fever, Vomiting, Rash, and Flatulence are some of the most prevalent adverse effects.

prilosec 1

Main Differences Between Zantac and Prilosec

  1. Zantac is an OTC drug that is highly popular by its generic name, Ranitidine. On the other hand, the generic name of the famous OTC drug Prilosec is omeprazole.
  2. Zantac is classified as a Histamine (H2) Blocker in terms of its drug classification, which helps decrease acid production by blocking the potential triggering receptors inside the stomach. On the other hand, Prilosec falls into the category of Proton Pump Inhibitor when its classification is done, which helps block the already existing and formed secreted acid inside the stomach.
  3. Zantac does not possess the capacity to counter the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome effect in the stomach, which is a state of acid overproduction. On the other hand, Prilosec is formulated specially to counter the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome effect, in which acid is produced in excess inside the stomach.
  4. The patients diagnosed with Zantac can see results of getting cured in twelve months or more. The symptoms need to be subsided and stabilized. However, this medication is prescribed to those who suffer from acute ulcers. On the other hand, in mild cases, the patients can notice the results of getting cured in twelve weeks or less than when they are diagnosed with Prilosec. Thus, it can be concluded that the effect of Prilosec can be seen faster than Zantac’s.
  5. The physical appearance of the medication Zantac can be witnessed in yellow and peach colors only. The yellow-colored tablets weigh 300 mg, and the peach-colored tablets weigh 150 mg. However, the tablets possess a pentagonal shape. On the other hand, Prilosec medications come in the form of capsules. These capsules come in peach and apricot-colored forms weighing 10, 20, and 40 mg.
  6. Patients diagnosed with Zantac for extended periods can have mental disorders, seizures, and severe abdominal pain. On the other hand, the intake of Prilosec can also cause small tumors in the stomach. However, other common side effects include Diarrhea, Fever, Vomiting, Rash, and Flatulence.
Difference Between Zantac and Prilosec
References
  1. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=lang_en&id=7XH1AQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=zantac+and+prilosec&ots=Vdxa11EHp_&sig=t4mef5kcgk4mPkc_ZWRrGKlijZU
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091674912004411

Last Updated : 13 July, 2023

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11 thoughts on “Zantac vs Prilosec: Difference and Comparison”

  1. It’s ironic how both medications have their own detrimental side effects, yet are still used to treat gastrointestinal disorders.

    Reply
  2. You’re right. The complexity of these medications is quite intriguing. It’d be interesting to see more studies on how they work.

    Reply
  3. This article provides a very informative comparison between Zantac and Prilosec. It’s good to finally know the differences.

    Reply
  4. I’ve been taking Zantac for a while. After reading this, I’m considering switching to a different medication.

    Reply
  5. The comparison table is quite intriguing. I didn’t realize the differences between Zantac and Prilosec were so significant.

    Reply

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