{"id":634649,"date":"2025-12-15T15:54:58","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T20:54:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=634649"},"modified":"2025-12-15T15:57:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T20:57:49","slug":"prilosec-generic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/prilosec-generic\/","title":{"rendered":"Prilosec generic availability, cost, dosage, and safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

A big meal can bring you contentment, comfort, and joy\u2014but it might also bring heartburn, inflammation of the esophagus, and acid reflux. That\u2019s where <\/span>Prilosec<\/span><\/a> comes in. This proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) blocks the stomach\u2019s acid production, bringing relief for people who have frequent heartburn from the stomach producing too much acid. Whether they\u2019re looking for lower costs or simply more options, some people might want to know if there\u2019s a generic for Prilosec. We\u2019ve got the answers here.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is there a generic for Prilosec?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Yes, the generic name for Prilosec is omeprazole, and has been on the market since <\/span>the FDA first approved it in late 2001<\/span><\/a>. It\u2019s available both over the counter and via prescription, depending on the formulation you get.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the differences between brand-name and generic Prilosec?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The FDA has <\/span>strict regulations for generic drugs<\/span><\/a>. Specifically, they test to ensure that the generic medication has identical active ingredients, strengths, dosage forms, and routes of administration as the brand-name version. You can be assured that generic omeprazole is very similar to Prilosec. The differences between Prilosec and generic omeprazole are in the inactive ingredients, like fillers, dyes, and preservatives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There isn\u2019t much evidence<\/span><\/a> to suggest that generic omeprazole performs differently from brand-name Prilosec, but that doesn\u2019t mean it will always work exactly the same. According to <\/span>a 2006 study<\/span><\/a>, different versions of generic omeprazole at the time had differences that could influence their outcomes. In general, though, individuals who can take Prilosec can also take generic omeprazole, and they will function similarly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause generics are generally cheaper and more favorably covered by insurance, I will almost always prescribe generic omeprazole over brand-name Prilosec,\u201d says <\/span>Dr. Adam Pont, MD<\/span><\/a>, board-certified in gastroenterology with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to <\/span>labfinder.com<\/span><\/a>. \u201cThe only situation where I would prescribe brand-name preferably, would be if the brand name was more favorably covered by insurance or was cheaper for some reason.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Eve Elizabeth Pennie, MD<\/span><\/a>, clinical research professional and medical expert for Drugwatch, also has limited situations when she would recommend brand-name Prilosec.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifically, \u201cwhen a patient has a history of intolerance to a specific generic form of omeprazole; a patient has tried more than one generic omeprazole and did not respond; or when a health plan makes no difference in the cost to the patient between the generic and brand-name.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Drug information<\/strong><\/td>\nPrilosec (omeprazole)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Uses<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Frequent heartburn<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Benign gastric ulcer<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Treatment and maintenance of erosive esophagitis due to acid-mediated GERD<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Pathologic hypersecretory conditions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Standard dosage<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • \n
      \n
    • Adults:<\/b> 20-40 mg, once a day, for up to eight weeks\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Children: <\/b>2.5-20 mg, once a day, depending on weight<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      *** Prilosec OTC is only approved for adults over the age of 18.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Common side effects<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Headache<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Stomach pain<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Flatulence<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Upper respiratory infection<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Constipation<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Contraindications<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Patients with a hypersensitivity to substituted benzimidazoles or any component of Prilosec<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Patients receiving medications that contain rilpivirine<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Other considerations<\/b><\/td>\n\n