Proton Pump Inhibitors
Omeprazole
Omeprazole (generic Prilosec) is a proton pump inhibitor that reduces stomach acid. It treats reflux disease, ulcers and acid-related damage to the oesophagus, and it is available both on prescription and over the counter.
This page is general information about a medication and how cash prices for it are set. It is not medical advice and does not replace the label, your prescriber or your pharmacist. How we handle medical information
Prescription capsules and the over-the-counter tablet are generic. The oral suspension and the Zegerid combination are priced as brand-type products.
About Omeprazole
Omeprazole switches off the acid pumps in the stomach lining. It takes a few days to reach full effect and is most effective when taken before a meal, usually breakfast. It is used for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, healing and maintaining healed erosive oesophagitis, stomach and duodenal ulcers, eradication of Helicobacter pylori with antibiotics, and conditions that cause acid overproduction.
The prescription capsule and the over-the-counter tablet contain the same active ingredient; the over-the-counter product is labelled for a limited course of frequent heartburn, while prescription use may be longer. Long-term use is associated with lower magnesium and vitamin B12, reduced absorption of some other medicines, and a higher risk of certain infections, so prescribers periodically review whether it is still needed and whether a lower dose or a step-down would do.
Omeprazole interacts with clopidogrel, reducing its antiplatelet effect, which is why people on clopidogrel are often moved to pantoprazole instead. Zegerid is omeprazole combined with sodium bicarbonate and is dosed differently.
Why the cash price for Omeprazole differs from pharmacy to pharmacy
For a 20 mg daily dose, the over-the-counter tablet and the prescription capsule are pharmacologically the same, and the over-the-counter pack is frequently cheaper than a prescription fill because there is no dispensing fee. Whether that applies to you depends on the dose and duration your prescriber intends.
The 40 mg capsule has no over-the-counter equivalent and is a commodity generic; its cash price is mostly the pharmacy’s fee and margin. The suspension and the sodium bicarbonate combination cost pharmacies many times more.
Ways to pay less for Omeprazole without insurance
- If your dose is 20 mg once daily, ask your prescriber whether the over-the-counter product is appropriate for you.
- If you need 40 mg, ask the pharmacy whether one 40 mg capsule or two 20 mg capsules is cheaper there, and ask the prescriber to write accordingly if clinically the same.
- Ask for a ninety-day prescription if you are on long-term treatment.
- Ask whether omeprazole is on the pharmacy’s flat-price generic list.
- Upload your prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.
How Script Unlock gets you a cash price for Omeprazole
Prices on this site come from pharmacies responding to a real prescription. We do not publish estimated, average or "typical" prices, because none of those would be your price.
- 1You upload your prescription
A photo of your Omeprazole prescription is enough. Nothing is sold on the site; you are asking pharmacies to quote.
- 2Licensed pharmacies respond
Pharmacies that Script Unlock has verified see the request and each can reply with its own cash price for your exact drug, strength and quantity.
- 3You choose and pay the pharmacy
You compare the responses, pick a pharmacy, and pay that pharmacy directly when you collect. Script Unlock never takes a patient payment and never sets the price.
Questions to ask your pharmacist about Omeprazole
- 1.When is the best time to take this relative to meals?
- 2.Can I open the capsule?
- 3.Does it interact with any of my other medicines?
- 4.How long should I stay on it, and how do I step down?
- 5.Is the over-the-counter version the same thing?
Related medications
Sources
Script Unlock is a marketplace that lets licensed pharmacies quote a cash price on your prescription. It does not prescribe, dispense or sell medication, does not process patient payments, and does not give medical advice. Always follow the instructions of your prescriber and pharmacist and read the medication guide supplied with your medicine.