My insurance co. wants me to change from prevacid to prilosec otc. What's the difference?

Answer 1

Prevacid is a prescription medication. Prilosec OTC is over-the-counter (out of your pocket, not theirs!)

They are different drugs, but work in a similar fashion. If you have erosive esophagitis, or gastritis, or severe reflux, you may need the Prevacid in order to heal.

Before making any changes, talk to the doctor who prescribed the Prevacid. It may be a simple case of him/her writing a note to the insurance company that you need the drug he/she prescribed.

Don't make any changes in your medication without talking to your doctor first.

Good luck!

Answer 2

That class of drug is called a proton pump inhibitor. They all stop the cells in the stomach from splitting water and producing hydrochloric acid. None of this type will heal the esophagus, if there is any healing it is due to the fact that the tissues of the esophagus is no longer being bombarded by pepsin and HCL. The reason your ins. company wants you to switch is simply due to cost. The only difference you will notice is that the OTC is 20mg and the prevacid may be higher. I take the OTC prilosec and it does a pretty good job at controlling heartburn.

Answer 3

Prevacid is a much more expensive drug than prilosec otc. Its considered the generic for prevacid...especially if on medicaid and or medicaid.

Answer 4

I agree with the response above me. You've got to speak with the Physician who prescribed the medicine.

Answer 5

The only reason an ins. co. wants you to change to another drug is because its cheaper. I once changed to another drug becuz of my ins. co. but had terrible side affects. Only then did my ins. co. accept my 1st drug.