{"id":3518,"date":"2019-12-19T09:08:55","date_gmt":"2019-12-19T14:08:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=3518"},"modified":"2025-12-02T14:39:20","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T19:39:20","slug":"pantoprazole-vs-omeprazole","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/pantoprazole-vs-omeprazole\/","title":{"rendered":"Pantoprazole vs. omeprazole: Key differences and uses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pantoprazole and omeprazole are <\/span>proton pump inhibitors<\/span><\/a> (PPIs) used to treat digestive conditions. Both drugs are used to treat damage and inflammation of the esophagus (erosive esophagitis) due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (<\/span>GERD<\/span><\/a>). They work by decreasing acid secretion in the stomach. While pantoprazole and omeprazole are similar medications, they also have some differences.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the main differences between pantoprazole and omeprazole?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Pantoprazole<\/span><\/a> is the generic name for Protonix and is only available with a prescription. It is FDA approved to treat inflammation of the esophagus due to GERD in adults and children aged five years and older. Pantoprazole is supplied as a delayed-release tablet or liquid suspension. It can also be administered as an intravenous (IV) injection at a hospital or clinic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Omeprazole<\/span><\/a>, also known by its brand name, Prilosec, can be purchased with a prescription or over the counter (OTC). It works similarly to pantoprazole as a PPI and can be used to treat erosive esophagitis due to GERD in adults, children, and infants one month and older. It comes as a delayed-release capsule, tablet, and liquid suspension.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Main differences between pantoprazole and omeprazole<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nPantoprazole<\/b><\/td>\nOmeprazole<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/span><\/td>\nProton pump inhibitor (PPI)<\/span><\/td>\nProton pump inhibitor (PPI)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/span><\/td>\nGeneric version available<\/span><\/td>\nGeneric version available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the brand name?<\/span><\/td>\nProtonix<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nPrilosec<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/span><\/td>\nOral tablet, delayed-release<\/span><\/p>\n

Oral suspension\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

IV injection\/infusion<\/span><\/td>\n

Oral tablet, delayed-release<\/span><\/p>\n

Oral capsule, delayed-release<\/span><\/p>\n

Oral suspension\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

IV injection\/infusion<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

What is the standard dosage?<\/span><\/td>\n40 mg once daily<\/span><\/td>\n20 mg once daily<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/span><\/td>\nUp to 8 weeks<\/span><\/td>\n4 to 8 weeks<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and children 5 years and older<\/span><\/td>\nAdults, children, and infants 1 month and older<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Conditions treated by pantoprazole and omeprazole<\/span><\/h2>\n

Pantoprazole and omeprazole are both FDA-approved to treat symptoms associated with GERD. They are also approved to treat hypersecretory conditions that cause the stomach to produce too much gastric acid. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is a condition that can cause acid hypersecretion and involves tumors in the pancreas or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).<\/span><\/p>\n

Pantoprazole and omeprazole can help treat peptic ulcers, including duodenal ulcers and gastric or stomach ulcers. These ulcers are often caused by an infection from a bacteria called H. pylori. While omeprazole is approved to treat H. pylori in combination with other drugs, pantoprazole may be used <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> for this purpose.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other off-label uses for both drugs include Barrett\u2019s esophagus and ulcers that stem from the use of <\/span>nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Condition<\/b><\/td>\nPantoprazole<\/b><\/td>\nOmeprazole<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Erosive Esophagitis<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hypersecretory conditions<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Duodenal ulcers<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gastric ulcers<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
H. Pylori infection<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Barrett\u2019s esophagus<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Indigestion<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NSAID-induced ulcers<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Is pantoprazole or omeprazole more effective?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Pantoprazole and omeprazole have been shown to be effective in treating GERD, peptic ulcers, and H. pylori infections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Based on data from a <\/span>meta-analysis<\/span><\/a> that pooled over 40 different studies, pantoprazole may be equally effective as omeprazole. Results from the study found no significant differences in effectiveness between other PPIs, including <\/span>Nexium (esomeprazole)<\/span><\/a>, lansoprazole (Prevacid), and rabeprazole (Aciphex). The results suggest that higher doses may be more important than the specific type of medication.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One PPI may be preferred over the other depending on the condition being treated and the cost of the medication. Consult a healthcare provider to determine which PPI may be better for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Coverage and cost comparison of pantoprazole vs. omeprazole<\/span><\/h2>\n

Pantoprazole is a generic medication that is usually covered by Medicare and most insurance plans. The average retail cost of pantoprazole is around $143 for 30, 40 mg tablets. You may be able to save more with a <\/span>SingleCare pantoprazole coupon<\/span><\/a>, which could bring the cost down to around $7.<\/span><\/p>\n

Omeprazole is a generic medication that is usually covered by Medicare and most insurance plans. The average retail cost of omeprazole is around $176 for 30, 20 mg capsules. With an <\/span>omeprazole coupon<\/span><\/a>, you may be able to pay around $6 for the same quantity. Keep in mind that omeprazole is also available as an OTC drug, which may come with lower costs than the prescription version.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nPantoprazole<\/b><\/td>\nOmeprazole<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by insurance?<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicare?<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Standard dosage<\/span><\/td>\n40 mg (quantity of 30)<\/span><\/td>\n20 mg (quantity of 30)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typical Medicare copay<\/span><\/td>\nVaries<\/span><\/td>\nVaries<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare cost<\/span><\/td>\nSee latest prices<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nSee latest prices<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Common side effects of pantoprazole and omeprazole<\/span><\/h2>\n

Pantoprazole and omeprazole share many of the same side effects, especially gastrointestinal side effects. The most common side effects of pantoprazole and omeprazole include:<\/span><\/p>\n