Order Omeprazole

<h1><strong>Get Omeprazole</strong> (generic Prilosec<sup>®</sup>) <strong>for $70/year</strong></h1>
<br>

<ul>
<li>Wholesale pricing&mdash;so you pay less</li>
<li>Fill in longer supply&mdash;up to 12 months at a time</li>
<li>One price regardless of dose or quantity&mdash;no price fluctuations</li>
</ul>

<h6><strong>Fewer pharmacy visits. Fill in 30-, 90-, 180-, or 360-day supply at a time.</strong></h6>

Low-Cost Omeprazole

<h2><strong>What is Omeprazole </strong>(Prilosec)?</h2>

<p style="font-weight:300; line-height:1.6;">Omeprazole is a medication commonly used to treat GERD, acid-reflux, as well as duodenal and stomach ulcers. It is part of a class of medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) that work in your stomach to reduce the amount of acid it produces. </p>

<br>
<h5><strong>Omeprazole is on Marley Drug’s Wholesale Price List</strong></h5>

<p style="font-weight:300; line-height:1.6;">Our Wholesale Price List offers affordable pricing on many commonly prescribed generics. You can get Omeprazole either in a 12-month supply for $70 or a 6-month supply for $37.</p>

<a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/wholesale-price-list-medications" target="_blank">Check our full list</a>
<br><br><br>

<h4><strong>Learn about Omeprazole from our Pharmacist Dee!</strong></h4>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ePBtOvxCalI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<p class="ql-align-center">If you run into issues just give us a call; <a href="tel:800-810-7790" rel="noopener noreferrer">800-810-7790</a>.</p>

Order your medications on our website

<p class="ql-align-center">We can contact the doctor for you to get you your prescription.</p>

We'll verify your prescription details

<p class="ql-align-center">Free shipping through USPS First Class Mail to all 50 states.&nbsp;</p>

We ship it to your home

How to Order Omeprazole

<div style=" color:#ffffff; margin: 25px auto; padding:10px 5% 25px 5%;">
<h2>Have medication questions?<br>Talk with a pharmacist today.</h4>
<p>Call us for a free pharmacy consult.<br><br>
<a class="btn btn-brand" href="tel:800-810-7790" target="_blank" style="padding:10px 17px;" >800-810-7790</a></p>

Frequently Asked Questions About Omeprazole

<p><em>Generic medications offer <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/are-generic-medications-as-safe-and-effective-as-the-brand-equivalents" target="_blank">safe and affordable alternatives</a> to expensive branded medications at only a fraction of the cost. In the U.S., 90% of medications prescribed are for generic versions. Despite the anticipated low cost of these medications, patients are still paying an average of $10 per month, even with insurance. So why are these prices still so high? Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) help insurance companies decide what medications should be covered, but charge a hidden fee for their services. This article covers in detail who the PBMs are and how you can avoid them (and save money) by paying cash for your medications.</em></p>

<h3>With Insurance Patients Pay an Average Co-Pay of $10</h3>

<p>What some people might not realize is that despite the significant investment you make into ensuring you have health insurance coverage, you may still be paying high deductibles or co-pays, even on things that you would think would be covered, like generic medications.</p>

<p>According to the KFF 2020 Employee Health Benefits Annual Survey, <strong>employees pay average co-pay of $10 per month for their generic medications.</strong><sup>1</sup></p>

<p>$10/month extra might not seem like much, but it adds up when you think about how much you are already paying for your insurance and how affordable generic medications generally are.</p>

<p>So why are you paying so much for your medications? It’s because of fees tacked on by the hidden middle-men in the chain.</p>

<img src="https://marley-storage.imgix.net/782735f7-2b41-4330-a9f7-ed40bd01f532/blog-copaycash.png" width="400" style="max-width:100%; display:block;" alt="copay vs cash price">
<br>

<h5 style="border-left:5px solid #fee203; padding-left:15px; margin:30px 0;">You will be shocked to learn that cash prices can be less than copays on your prescription plans for many medications.</strong></h5>

<h3>The PBMs: The Middle-Men of Prescription Health Benefit Plans</h3>

<p>For prescription benefit plans, employers and insurance companies request assistance from organizations called pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The role of a PBM is to decide which medications, services, and procedures should be covered.</p>

<p>It is expected that they will negotiate affordable prices for medications as well as manage the appropriateness of certain medications that may be expensive, like branded medications. By providing these negotiations, the employer pays the PBM a fee for their service.</p>

<h3>PBMs are an Unregulated Industry with Hidden Fees</h3>

<p>Unfortunately, those fees are unregulated and are often hidden in a black box.</p>

<p>PBMs have positioned themselves as the middle-men between pharmacies, employers/patients, and the manufacturers of drugs. They control the entire game. While their intention is to help manage the affordability and appropriateness of medications, they frequently drive-up costs for employers and patients and reduce profitability for pharmacists and drug manufacturers, all while they fill their pockets with hidden fees.</p>

<p>To date, <strong>no federal agency or law is responsible for regulating the PBM industry</strong>. Likewise, at the state level, the majority of states do not regulate PBMs. The states that do regulate PBMs vary as to the aspect of PBM activities they regulate and to the extent they impose regulations.</p>

<img src="https://marley-storage.imgix.net/782735f7-2b41-4330-a9f7-ed40bd01f532/blog-spread-pricing.png" width="800" style="display:block; max-width:100%;" alt="PBM and spread pricing">

<h3>PBMs Added on 31% Fees for Generic Medications in Ohio</h3>

<p>An <a href="https://ohioauditor.gov/news/pressreleases/Details/5042" target="_blank">auditor’s report</a> in 2018 found that in Ohio, <strong>PBMs added fees of 31% on generic medications</strong>.<sup>2</sup> A 31% fee seem like a lot for negotiating a better price!</p>

<p>So, what exactly are these fees? They’re sometimes referred to as the “spread”—the difference between what an employer/insurance plan pays, and what the PBM pays the pharmacy to dispense the medication (i.e. their profit). The average spread, which in this example is State Medicaid Patients in Ohio, was $6.14 per month.2 Now keep in mind, that’s more than it costs to fill 50+ generic medications at Marley Drug if you’re paying cash and not using insurance.</p>

<img src="https://marley-storage.imgix.net/782735f7-2b41-4330-a9f7-ed40bd01f532/blog-preauthorization.png" alt="Prior authorization" width="800" style="display:block; max-width:100$;">

<h3>PBMs Make Access to Certain Medications Require Additional Approval</h3>

<p>PBMs also create a system to help decide the appropriateness of medications, services, and procedures through a pre-approval process known as prior authorizations.</p>

<p>According to the America’s Health Insurance Plans group the primary goals of these prior authorization programs are to improve the quality, safety, appropriateness, and affordability of medications.<sup>3</sup></p>

<p>A <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/are-prior-authorizations-good-for-patients">ecent survey of 1000 doctors</a> actually showed that prior authorizations may be actually hurting patients, not helping them.<up>4</sup></p>

<p>Prior authorizations also add on a lot of administration fees, which can further drive-up healthcare costs. In many instances prior authorizations can lead to medication changes, terms <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/educate-yourself-on-non-medical-switching">non-medical switching</a>.</p>

<img src="https://marley-storage.imgix.net/782735f7-2b41-4330-a9f7-ed40bd01f532/blog-extendedsupply.png" alt="$70 per year" width="500" style="display:block; max-width"100%;">

<h3>Our Solution: Pay Cash for your Generic Medications with Marley Drug and Cut out the Middle-Men</h3>

<p><a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/wholesale-price-list">Marley Drug's Wholesale Price List</a> was specifically designed to reduce the cost of expensive co-pays and deductibles.</p>

<p>Because our pricing model doesn’t involve any insurance program, we are cutting out the middle-men (the PBMs) who decide what drugs get covered and for how much. This means there are no added fees.</p>

<p>Our Wholesale Price List is very simple. If we can buy a 90-day supply of any generic drug for less than $12, it goes on our list of medications. We currently offer over 50 common medications for $70 a year. That’s less than $6 per month.</p>

<p>For medications above that price point there’s no need to worry. We price our medications based on what it costs us as a pharmacy to buy them. That way you can be assured you’re getting the best price. The only fee you pay here at Marley Drug is a dispensing fee, which you would pay at any other pharmacy in the U.S., but we promise you, we won’t artificially raise the price on medications just to make a quick buck.</p>

<table width="600" cellpadding="0"  cellspacing="0" style="max-width:100%; border:1px solid #5ba2b6;">
    <tr>
            <td colspan="3" align="center" style="background-color:#5ba2b6; padding:10px; color:#ffffff;"><h5 style="margin:0;">Clopidogrel (generic Plavix<sup>&reg;</sup>)</h5></td>
    </tr>

    <tr  style="background-color:#fee203; ">
            <td align="left" style="padding:10px;"></td>
            <td align="center" style="padding:10px;">Width insurance</td>
            <td align="center" style="padding:10px;">At Marley Drug</td>
    </tr>

    <tr  style="background-color:#ffffff;">
            <td align="left" style="padding:10px;">Total cost</td>
            <td align="center" style="padding:10px;">$720</td>
            <td align="center" style="padding:10px;"></td>
    </tr>

    <tr  style="background-color:#ffffff; ">
            <td align="left" style="padding:10px;">Employer's cost</td>
            <td align="center" style="padding:10px;">$600</td>
            <td align="center" style="padding:10px;"></td>
    </tr>

    <tr  style="background-color:#ffffff; background-color:#fee203;">
            <td align="left" style="padding:10px;"><strong>Your cost</strong></td>
            <td align="center" style="padding:10px;"><strong>$120</strong></td>
            <td align="center" style="padding:10px;"><strong>$70</strong></td>
    </tr>

</table>

<h3>An example of how you save with Marley Drug</h3>

<p>When submitting an insurance claim, a one-year supply of generic Plavix (clopidogrel) 75 mg #360 costs around $720.00. That cost is ultimately paid for by both the employers and the employee. Typically, $600 would be paid for by the employer and the remaining would be paid for by the patient ($120). With Marley Drug, a one-year supply of the same drug reduces the overall cost substantially. We charge only $70 for a year supply of <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/checkout/Clopidogrel">clopidogrel</a>. That’s an overall savings of $650 total for just one medication.</p>

<br><br>

<div style="font-size:.85em;">
<p>References:</p>

<ol>
       <li>2020 KFF Employer Health Benefit Survey available at: https://www.kff.org/health-costs/report/2020-employer-health-benefits-survey</li>
       <li>Press Release: Ohio’s Auditor of State. Pharmacy Benefit Managers Take Fees of $31% on Generic Drugs Worth $208M in One-Year Period. August 16, 2018 available at https://ohioauditor.gov/news/pressreleases/Details/5042.</li>
       <li>AHIP Key Results of Industry Survey on Prior Authorization available at: http://www.ahip.org/wp-content/uploads/Prior-Authorization-Survey-Results.pdf</li>
       <li>2020 AMA prior authorization (PA) physician survey available at: https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2021-04/prior-authorization-survey.pdf</li>
</ol>


</div>

What some people might not realize is that despite the significant investment you make into ensuring you have health insurance coverage, you may still be paying high deductibles or co-pays, even on things that you would think would be covered, like generic medications.

Despite the anticipated low cost of generic medications, patients are paying an average of $10 per month with insurance. Here's why.

Why Generic Medications Are Expensive Even With Insurance

Understanding Drug Pricing

You might be paying more for your generic medications. Here’s why.

<div style="border-left: 5px solid #fee203;  padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 40px; margin-top: 40px; font-family: 'montserratlight', sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: 160%;">

<p>Have you ever asked your pharmacist what the cash-price is for your medication?<br>
Probably not, but you should!<br>
Most of our patients are shocked when they learn how much they can save by paying cash for their medications, rather than using the traditional route of applying their insurance and paying what they felt was a ‘small copay’.</p>

</div>

<h3 style="font-size: 1.5em; font-family: 'montserratbold', sans-serif; color: #222222;">What does it mean to pay cash for your prescriptions?</h3>

<p>Paying cash for your prescriptions means that you are paying for your medications <span style="font-family: 'montserrat', sans-serif;"> without using any insurance.</span>  The cost associated with this price includes the cost for the pharmacy to acquire the medication at a wholesaler, pharmacy dispensing fees, and an arbitrary mark-up for the pharmacy to make money. That mark-up is usually pharmacy dependent.</p>


<h3 style="font-size: 1.5em; font-family: 'montserratbold', sans-serif; color: #222222;">Why is the cash-price different than the insurance-price?</h3>

<p><strong>General Assumption</strong>: One would think using insurance should always be less than paying cash.<br>

In reality, the cash-price and insurance-price are two separate things.<br>

The <span style="font-family: 'montserrat', sans-serif;"> insurance price</span>, the price you pay for medications using your insurance at the pharmacy is decided by your insurance company and the <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/congressman-comer-investigates-pbms-and-rising-healthcare-costs-inside-view-from-a-pharmacy-and-drug-manufacturer">pharmacy benefit manger (PBM)</a> they hired to negotiate a “better price” for you.</p>

<div style="border-left: 5px solid #fee203;  padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 40px; margin-top: 40px; font-family: 'montserratlight', sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: 160%;"><strong>Did you know?</strong> The pharmacy has no say in the price when you use insurance.</div>

<p><span style="font-family: 'montserrat', sans-serif;">Reason for the price discrepancy: </span>While we as a pharmacy can purchase the medication for next to nothing, your insurance company and their PBM may have negotiated a different price and then marked it up a bit to make some money for their services.</p>

<p>We as a pharmacy have to offer that price to you based on what they negotiated and decided on, even if we can offer it to you for less!</p>

<h3 style="font-size: 1.5em; font-family: 'montserratbold', sans-serif; color: #222222;">Why haven’t I heard about this better offer?</h3>

<p><strong>Gag clauses </strong>have prevented pharmacists from telling you about a better deal.</p>

<p>You may not have heard that paying cash can often be cheaper that using insurance, and that’s likely because of <span style="font-family: 'montserrat', sans-serif; color:#333333;">unethical laws</span> that currently exist preventing pharmacists from telling you about a better deal.</p>

<p>There are gag clause contracts with pharmacies and PBMs that prevent pharmacists from telling patients about affordable alternatives.</p>

<p>Some good news though, on October 10, 2018, <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 600;">Bill S.2553, Know the Lower Price Act</span> was instated <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 600;">which allows pharmacists to inform patients under Medicare or Medicare Advantages plans of lower-price cash options</span>.</p>

<div style="margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px; background-color: #fee203; padding: 20px; font-family: 'montserratlight', sans-serif; line-height: 160%;">This bill prohibits a prescription drug plan under Medicare or Medicare Advantage from restricting a pharmacy from informing an enrollee of any difference between the price, co-payment, or co-insurance of a drug under the plan and a lower price of the drug without health-insurance coverage (such restrictions are commonly referred to as gag clauses).</div>

<p>While many laws still need to be changed to prevent these unethical practices, this new bill is a great step in the right direction to provide price transparency for patients.</p>



<h3 style="font-size: 1.5em; font-family: 'montserratbold', sans-serif; color: #222222;">How can it be more affordable to pay for prescriptions without insurance?</h3>

<p>Paying for your prescriptions with insurance can cost more because it requires more steps to get your medications through the <a style="color: #222222; text-decoration: none; border-bottom:.125em solid #5ba2b6;" href="#" target="_blank" rel="noopener">supply chain</a>.</p>


<div style="border-left: 5px solid #fee203; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 40px; margin-top: 40px; font-family: 'montserratlight', sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: 160%;"><strong>Did you know?</strong> When you use your insurance, there is an extra player involved: the PBM middlemen, who are paid by your insurance company to negotiate better pricing with drug manufacturers.</div>

<img src="https://marley-storage.imgix.net/0092b4de-f216-453f-9522-6e2cef93c920/bl-cashprice-steps-3.png" alt="Cash price vs copay" width="100%" height="auto">
<br><br>

<p>Built into these overcomplicated negotiations are administrative fees as well as unethical pricing strategies, termed <u><a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/how-spread-pricing-increases-prices-of-generic-drugs">spread pricing</a></u>, which can profusely inflate the cost of medications.</p>

<div style="border-left: 5px solid #fee203;  padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 40px; margin-top: 40px; font-family: 'montserratlight', sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: 160%;">According to a recent analysis by Kaiser Health News, the price of medications when using health insurance can add costs of up to $30 per prescription.</div>

<p>These PBM and insurance company middlemen have been getting away with this unethical practice for decades and ultimately costing both employers and patients hundreds of millions more for the cost of generic medications.</p>

<p>In recent years, some states have introduced new laws to fight high drug prices and restrict practices that are costing taxpayers hundreds of millions every year.</p>

<p>Paying the cash price for your prescription means you can bypass the additional fees and middlemen which cause price inflation when you pay with insurance.</p>


<h3 style="font-size: 1.5em; font-family: 'montserratbold', sans-serif; color: #222222;">Don’t assume your insurance is saving you money</h3>

<p>$10 per month is the national average copay for generic medications.</p>

<p><strong>The Assumption: </strong>The assumption we all make is that our insurance copay is a good deal for us. With an average $10 copay, one would assume the medication costs a lot more than $10, especially since your insurance is also paying for some of it.</p>

<p><strong>The Reality: </strong>The reality is that most generic medications cost next to nothing for pharmacies to buy. That $10 copay you are paying is extremely inflated and you and your insurance provider are overpaying for your medications. In fact, using your insurance may be costing you more.</p>



<div style="border-left: 5px solid #fee203; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 40px; margin-top: 40px; font-family: 'montserratlight', sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: 160%;">Millions of Americans skip doses or stop taking their prescription because of the cost&mdash;the medications you need should always be affordable</div>
&nbsp;

<h3 style="font-size: 1.5em; font-family: 'montserratbold', sans-serif; color: #222222;">Real Life Example&mdash;How paying with insurance costs you more</h3>

<p>Many of our customers are often shocked to learn that paying cash is often less expensive than using insurance.</p>



<div style="padding: 20px 5%; font-size: 1em; line-height:170%; font-weight:400; color:#ffffff; border:solid .25em #5ba2b6; background-color:#5ba2b6; margin-bottom:30px;">

<h4>Here’s a real-life example:</h4>

<p>Janice has a prescription for rosuvastatin (generic Crestor<sup>®</sup>) and wants to find the best savings for her medication. When Janice uses her insurance, she pays a copay of $10.00 a month. She assumes this is a good deal for her because the price she sees at the pharmacy, the price the PBM “negotiated” for her is $80 a month and Janice’s insurance covers $70 of the prescription giving her an 87.5% savings.</p>

<p>If Janice had asked for the cash price, she would be shocked to learn that her same rosuvastatin prescription is available at the cash price for less than her $10 copay.</p>

<p>At Marley Drug, Janice could get rosuvastatin (generic Crestor<sup>®</sup>) for $6.17 per month with a 6-month supply (38% less than a $10 copay) or $5.83 per month with a 12-month supply (41% less than a $10 copay.) That’s because it’s on a list of over 100 generic medications that we offer on <a style="color:#ffffff; text-decoration: none; border-bottom:0.125em solid #fee203; " href="https://www.marleydrug.com/wholesale-price-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marley Drug's Wholesale Price List</a>. </strong></p>

</div>


<p>An important point not to be overlooked; Janice’s insurance plan is also paying a lot of money for this medication&mdash;$70/month! That’s an additional $840/year of healthcare costs on top of the extra $50 Janice is paying compared to our price.</p>

<p>What may seem like a low copay that is beneficial for patients is actually riddled with hidden fees by unethical middlemen. This ultimately drives up the cost of healthcare and increases the costs you and/or your employer pay for your health plan.</p>

<p>Whether you have a high copay, or a <a style="color: #222222; text-decoration: none; border-bottom:.125em solid #5ba2b6;" href="https://www.marleydrug.com/never-going-to-pay-through-your-high-deductible-save-money-by-paying-cash-at-marley-drug/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">high deductible</a>, our savings programs at Marley Drug often save you money!</p>


<h3 style="font-size: 1.5em; font-family: 'montserratbold', sans-serif; color: #222222;">Save on your Prescriptions at Marley Drug by paying without insurance</h3>

<p>Marley Drug has over 100 generic prescriptions available through our <a style="color: #222222; text-decoration: none; border-bottom:.125em solid #5b2b6" href="https://www.marleydrug.com/wholesale-price-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wholesale Price List</a> which means you can get your same generic prescriptions at an affordable price, including free shipping.

<ul style="list-style-type: disc; list-style-position: outside; padding-bottom: 15px;">
 	<li style="margin-bottom:5px;">$6.17 per month when you buy a 6-month supply&mdash;38% less than a $10 copay!</li>
 	<li style="margin-bottom:5px;">$5.83 per month when you buy a 12-month supply&mdash;41% less than a $10 copay!</li>
</ul>

<p>No added pharmacy fees&mdash;No copay&mdash;Free shipping right to your door<br>

Call Sam, Julie or Juan in our U.S. Support Center at 800-810-7790&mdash;they would love to speak with you!</p>

&nbsp;

Most of our patients are shocked when they learn how much they can save by paying cash for their medications, rather than using the traditional route of applying their insurance and paying what they felt was a ‘small copay’.

Don’t assume your insurance is saving you money. Learn how you can save money by avoiding insurance and paying cash. Shop online today at Marley Drug.

How to Save Money on Medications by Paying Cash

Cash price might be lower than your copay

How Paying Cash for Your Prescriptions Can Cost Less Than Your Copay

<p style="font-size:1.3em; line-height:1.4;"><em>Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects roughly 20% of adults in the U.S., according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). It can potentially lead to major problems if left untreated.</em></p>

<h3>What is Acid Reflux?</h3>

<p>Acid reflux, also referred to as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), occurs when the sphincter muscle at the bottom of your esophagus doesn't work properly, and stomach acid can back up into your esophagus. This can result in heartburn and other symptoms. <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/managing-stomach-acid">Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)</a> is a chronic condition caused by frequent or reoccurring reflux (greater than 2 times per week).</p>

<p>The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a protective ring of muscle fibers located at the entrance of your stomach, generally prevents acidic gastric contents from backflowing into the esophagus. With GERD, the LES pressure (muscle tone) is decreased, allowing stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus.</p>

<br>
<img src="https://marley-storage.imgix.net/a98ccd3f-3104-46e1-af03-711be2798cb2/GERD-the-cause.png" alt="Cause of GERD" style="dispaly:block; max-width:100%;" width="800" height="auto">
<br>

<h3>What Causes Acid Reflux?</h3>

<p>As the food you just ingested reaches your stomach, your LES fails to seal properly, causing acid reflux. Acid backwash then travels up your esophagus, through your throat, and into your mouth, leaving you with a sour taste.</p>

<p>The most common cause of acid reflux is foods that are acidic or high in fat, such as onions, cheese, citrus fruits, tomatoes, coffee, peppermint, and chocolate.</p>

<h3>What are Symptoms of GERD?</h3>

<p style="margin-bottom:5px;">The typical GERD symptom includes:</p>

<ol>
<li>Heartburn (which may occur during the day or at night)</li>
<li>Hypersalivation (excessive saliva)</li>
<li>Regurgitation of acidic contents into your mouth or throat </li>
</ol>

<p style="margin-bottom:5px;">Other symptoms include:</p>

<ol>
	<li>Epigastric pain</li>
	<li>Nausea</li>
	<li>Odynophagia (painful swallowing)</li>
	<li>Dysphagia (the sensation of food being stuck in your throat)</li>
	<li>Burping</li>
	<li>Hiccups</li>
	<li>Hoarseness, dry cough, and/or chronic sore throat</li>
	<li>Chest pain</li>
</ol>

<br>
<img src="https://marley-storage.imgix.net/1ac31b74-9c1c-49cd-a5ea-a819ebcdf3fd/GERD-symptoms-2.png" alt="GERD symptoms" style="dispaly:block; max-width:100%;" width="800" height="auto">
<br>

<h3>Which Medication Can Worsen My GERD Symptoms?</h3>

<p style="margin-bottom:5px;">These medications/dietary supplements have the ability to irritate your esophagus and cause heartburn pain:</p>

<ol>
	<li>Aspirin/NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (brand: advil, motrin) and aspirin</li>
	<li>Bisphosphonates, such as alendronate (brand: fosamax) or ibandronate (brand: boniva)</li>
	<li>Antibiotics, such as tetracycline and clindamycin</li>
	<li>Steroids</li>
	<li>Nicotine replacement therapy</li>
	<li>Iron supplements</li>
	<li>Estrogen products</li>
	<li>Fish oil products</li>
</ol>

<p><em>If you have GERD, check with your doctor to see if any of your medications are affecting your symptoms.</em></p>

<h3>How is GERD Diagnosed?</h3>

<p>Acid reflux disease can be diagnosed based on symptoms such as heartburn, especially if lifestyle adjustments, antacids, or acid-blocking drugs assist to alleviate these symptoms. Invasive testing is not required when typical symptoms are present.</p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="font-size:1.2em; border-bottom:.125em solid #fee203; font-weight:600;">Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and biopsy</span>: If you have an alarming symptom (such as painful swallowing, hematemesis (vomiting of blood), black bloody stools, and/or unintended weight gain) or if there is a concern for a more serious condition, an endoscopy can be performed to further investigate the problem. An endoscopy may check for issues in your esophagus or stomach. A long, flexible, tube with a light and camera attached is inserted down your throat to look at the lining of your upper GI tract for this exam. A biopsy (small amount of tissue cut) is used to examine for GERD.</li>

	<li><span style="font-size:1.2em; border-bottom:.125em solid #fee203; font-weight:600;">pH monitoring</span>: Examines the acid levels in your esophagus. To test the amount of acid in your esophagus, the doctor implants a device into your esophagus and leaves it in place for 1 to 2 days.</li>

	<li><span style="font-size:1.2em; border-bottom:.125em solid #fee203; font-weight:600;">Esophageal manometry</span>: Examines the esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter for function and movement.</li>
</ul>

<h3>What are Treatment Options for GERD?</h3>

<p>Many patients generally tend to self-treat GERD symptoms with over-the-counter (OTC) products and do not seek medical attention unless this fails. If you don't respond to lifestyle modifications, or if self-treatment with OTC products for 2 weeks doesn't work, or if alarm symptoms are present, you should be referred for further evaluation.</p>

<p><em>GERD treatment should include <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/lifestyle-tips-for-gerd">lifestyle modifications</a> and medications.</em></p>

<h4><strong>Lifestyle modifications include:</strong></h4>

<ul>
	<li style="line-height:1.4; margin-bottom:10px;">Weight loss (if overweight or recently gained weight)</li>
	<li style="line-height:1.4; margin-bottom:10px;">Elevate the head of the bed with foam wedges or blocks</li>
	<li style="line-height:1.4; margin-bottom:10px;">Avoid eating high-fat meals within 2-3 hours of bedtime</li>
	<li style="line-height:1.4; margin-bottom:10px;">Avoid food/drinks that trigger reflux, such as caffeine, chocolate, acidic/spicy foods, carbonated beverages like soda</li>
</ul>

<br>
<img src="https://marley-storage.imgix.net/a98ccd3f-3104-46e1-af03-711be2798cb2/GERD-lifestyle-modifications.png" alt="Lifestyle modifications for GERD" style="dispaly:block; max-width:100%;" width="800" height="auto">
<br><br>

<p style="margin-bottom:5px;">Infrequent heartburn (greater than 2 times per week) can be treated with OTC medications that are used as needed, including:</p>


<p>Histamine&ndash;2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) decrease gastric acid release by inhibiting the histamine&ndash;2 receptors in the gastric parietal cells. This drug class of medications is used as needed for infrequent or mild heartburn but tends to have a slower start time compared to antacids. A common side effect of H2RAs is headaches.</p>


<h4><strong>H2RAs include:</strong></h4>

<h5 style="margin-bottom:10px; "><a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/what-you-should-know-about-famotidine">Famotidine</a> (brand: <strong>Pepcid</strong>)</h5>

<p>OTC: 10&ndash;40 mg up to once a day as needed typically before a meal or beverage that could cause heartburn<br>
Rx: 10&ndash;40 mg 1&ndash;2 times daily<br>
<a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/checkout/Famotidine" target="_blank">Buy Famotidine</a></p>

<h5 style="margin-bottom:10px; "><a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/common-questions-asked-about-cimetidine">Cimetidine</a> 200 mg</h5>

<p>OTC: 200 mg once daily<br>
Rx: Rx: 200&ndash;800 mg 2&ndash;4 times daily</p>



<p>Antacids work by neutralizing gastric acid (producing salt and water), which then increases gastric pH (becomes more basic). This drug class of medications provides relief within minutes, however, the duration of relief is short (approximately 30-60 minutes). A common side effect of antacids is an unpleasant taste.</p>


<p style="background-color:#F0F3F5; padding:20px; border-left:5px solid #fee203; margin: 20px 0 30px 0;"><em>Calcium-containing antacids may be preferred in pregnant women.</em></p>

<h4><strong>OTC antacids include:</strong></h4>

<ul>
	<li style="line-height:1.4; margin-bottom:10px;">Calcium carbonate (brand: <strong>Tums</strong>)</li>
	<li style="line-height:1.4; margin-bottom:10px;">Sodium bicarbonate (brand: <strong>Alka-Seltzer</strong>)</li>
	<li style="line-height:1.4; margin-bottom:10px;">Magnesium hydroxide (brand: <strong>Milk of magnesia</strong>)</li>
	<li style="line-height:1.4; margin-bottom:10px;"><strong>Pepto-bismol</strong></li>
</ul>

<p>The initial medication treatment of choice for GERD which is also found to heal any erosive esophagitis is a drug class called proton pump inhibitors (PPI). PPIs work directly in the stomach and attach to the gastric H+/K+ ATPase pump in the parietal cells, causing the proton pump to stop working, reducing gastric acid production.</p>

<p>This drug class of medications takes approximately 1&ndash;3 hours to start working and lasts around 24 hours.</p>

<p style="margin-bottom:5px;">Common side effects of PPIs include:</p>

<ol>
	<li>Headache</li>
	<li>Nausea</li>
	<li>Diarrhea</li>
	<li>Stomach pain</li>
	<li>Vomiting</li>
	<li>Gas</li>
</ol>

<p style="background-color:#F0F3F5; padding:20px; border-left:5px solid #fee203; margin: 20px 0 30px 0;"><em>Long-term use of PPIs may cause chronic changes in your gastric pH. This can cause the growth of microorganisms and increase your risk of developing GI infections, including Clostridium difficile (C.difficile) and possibly pneumonia, due to the reflux of gastric contents beyond the oral cavity. PPIs are not recommended for use for greater than 8 weeks in elderly patients.</em></p>

<p>PPIs contain an 8-week course of treatment used to relieve symptoms and heal erosions that may be present and should be stopped after 8 weeks. If your symptoms return after 8 weeks, then maintenance treatment is needed.</p>

<p>All PPI medications have similar efficacy; however, particular patients may respond better to one medication over another. </p>

<h4><strong>PPI medications include:</strong></h4>


<h5 style="margin-bottom:10px; "><a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/7-things-to-know-about-omeprazole">Omeprazole</a> (brand: <strong>Prilosec</strong>) should be taken before breakfast.</h5>
<p>OTC: 20 mg daily<br>
Rx (prescription): 20&ndash;40 mg daily<br>

<a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/checkout/Omeprazole" target="_blank">Buy Omeprazole</a></p>

<h5 style="margin-bottom:10px; ;"><a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/6-things-to-know-about-pantoprazole">Pantoprazole</a> (brand: <strong>Protonix</strong>) can be taken with or without meals.</h5>
<p>Rx: 40 mg daily<br>

<a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/checkout/Pantoprazole"  target="_blank">Buy Pantoprazole</a></p>

<h5 style="margin-bottom:10px; "><a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/things-you-should-know-about-lansoprazole">Lansoprazole</a> (brand: <strong>Prevacid</strong>) should be taken before breakfast.</h5>
<p>OTC: 15 mg daily<br>
Rx: 15&ndash;30 mg daily<br>

<a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/checkout/Lansoprazole"  target="_blank">Buy Lansoprazole</a></p>

<h5 style="margin-bottom:10px; ">Dexlansoprazole (brand: <strong>Dexilant</strong>) can be taken with or without meals.</h5>
<p>Rx: 30&ndash;60 mg daily</p>

<h5 style="margin-bottom:10px; "><a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/most-commonly-asked-questions-about-esomeprazole">Esomeprazole</a> (brand: <strong>Nexium</strong>) should be taken at least 60 minutes before breakfast.</h5>
<p>OTC: 20 mg daily<br>
Rx: 20&ndash;40 mg daily<br>

<a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/checkout/Esomeprazole"  target="_blank">Buy Esomeprazole</a></p>

<p><em>All PPIs are effective in most cases. In studies comparing pantoprazole to omeprazole, pantoprazole was found to be just as effective as omeprazole in treating GERD and stomach ulcers.</em></p>

<div>
<p style="font-size:.9em; line-height:1.4; color:#616161; margin-bottom:10px;">Watch our video on Omeprazole. Dee, one of our pharmacists, answers commonly asked questions about the medication.</p>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ePBtOvxCalI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen style="display:block; max-width:100%;"></iframe>

</div>

<h3>Speak With Your Doctor</h3>

<p>GERD can decrease your quality of life and lead to serious conditions such as esophageal erosion, strictures (damaged lining of the esophagus becomes scarred, causing narrowing of the esophagus), bleeding, and Barrett’s esophagus (abnormal cell growth in the esophageal lining which can lead to esophageal cancer).</p>

<p>If you have any symptoms of GERD, talk to your healthcare provider and send your prescription to Marley Drug. Save up to 95% compared to your local pharmacy by using Marley Drug.</p>

Acid reflux, also referred to as gastroesophageal reflux (GER) affects roughly 20% of adults in the U.S. and can potentially lead to major problems if left untreated. It occurs when the sphincter muscle at the bottom of your esophagus doesn't work properly, and stomach acid can back up into your esophagus. This can result in heartburn and other symptoms. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition caused by frequent or reoccurring reflux (greater than 2 times per week).

Learn about gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)  or acid-reflux causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and compare omeprazole and pantoprazole treatment options.

Managing Acid Reflux: Omeprazole vs. Pantoprazole

Everyday Health

Gut Health

<p>Both famotidine and omeprazole are used to treat acid-related digestive issues such as GERD, erosive esophagitis, stomach & duodenal ulcers and hypersecretory conditions. Although they are both <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/managing-stomach-acid">stomach acid</a> reducers, they differ in how they work and how they are used. In this article we will compare them side by side to help you make informed decisions when you talk with your healthcare provider.  </p>


<h2>What is Famotidine For?</h2>

<p style="margin-bottom:10px;">Famotidine is prescribed for digestive system issues, such as:</p>

<ul>
<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Short-term treatment of <strong>GERD</strong></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Long-term maintenance <strong><span style="border-bottom:solid .125em #fee203;">prevention of duodenal ulcers</strong></strong></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Short-term <strong>treatment of a duodenal ulcer</strong></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Short-term treatment of a <strong>gastric ulcer</strong></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Long-term treatment of <strong>hypersecretory conditions</strong></li>
</ul>

<h2>How Does Famotidine Work?</h2>

<p>Famotidine is a type of medication called a histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H<sub>2</sub>RA). H2 blockers work in the same way that their name describes: histamine, a chemical in your body, binds to a receptor, the place where histamine attaches to send a signal, and acts as an antagonist, blocking or stopping a signal. </p>

<p>In a normal situation, when you eat food, your body releases histamine which communicates with a special stomach cell telling it to make stomach acid. Famotidine binds to the same receptor on this special cell, but instead of sending a signal to make acid, it <strong>blocks the signal to make acid and less acid is released into the stomach</strong>.</p>

<p style="background-color:#EDF2F4; border: 2px dotted #8DA3A8; text-align:center;"> Read our blog about <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/what-you-should-know-about-famotidine" target="_blank">Famotidine</a></p>

<h2>What is Omeprazole For?</h2>

<p style="margin-bottom:10px;">Omeprazole is a different kind of medication called a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI). Omeprazole is indicated to treat:</p>

<ul>
<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Short-term treatment of <strong>GERD</strong></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Long-term maintenance <strong><span style="border-bottom:solid .125em #fee203;">prevention of erosive esophagitis</span></strong></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Short-term <strong>treatment of a duodenal ulcer</strong></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Short-term treatment of a <strong>stomach ulcers</strong></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:10px;">Long-term treatment of <strong>hypersecretory conditions</strong></li>
</ul>

<p style="background-color:#F0F3F5; padding:20px; border-left:5px solid #fee203; margin: 20px 0 30px 0;">While this list looks very similar to the famotidine indications, you can see the difference in list number 2, where famotidine is used as ulcer prevention, and not erosive esophagitis. Omeprazole then treats erosive esophagitis but is not indicated to prevent duodenal ulcers.  </p>

<p style="background-color:#EDF2F4; border: 2px dotted #8DA3A8; text-align:center;"> Read our blog about <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/7-things-to-know-about-omeprazole" target="_blank">Omeprazole</a></p>

<h2>How Does Omeprazole Work?</h2>

<p>Omeprazole is a PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor). Stomach acid is produced by a ‘pump’ in your stomach. PPIs work by stopping this pump and this results in your body producing less stomach acid. </p>

<h2><a name="ppi vs h2ra">Omeprazole (PPI) vs. Famotidine (H<sub>2</sub>RA)</a></h2>

<p>Both PPIs and H<sub>2</sub>RAs reduce the amount of stomach acid your body produces. However, they achieve this by two different mechanisms.</p>

<p>H<sub>2</sub>RAs (H2 blockers) block stomach acid production at an ‘earlier’ stage in the stomach acid process, by blocking histamine’s ability to tell your stomach to make acid, whereas PPIs stop the pump that usually releases acid into the stomach (one of the final steps). </p>

<img src="https://marley-storage.imgix.net/7beb2ac9-1241-4e47-886e-987632aff754/acid-production.png" alt="Famotidine vs. Amlodipine" width="800" height="auto" style="display:block; max-width:100%;">

<p style="background-color:#F0F3F5; padding:20px; border-left:5px solid #fee203; margin: 20px 0 30px 0; font-size:1.25em; line-height:140%;">
H2 blockers (H2RAs) reduce acid production by blocking histamine from binding to the histamine 2 receptor. This happens at an earlier stage of acid production.<br><br>

PPIs block the proton pump from pumping acid into the stomach. One of the final steps of acid production.
<p>

<h2>Comparing Side Effects</h2>

<p>Both medications have some possible side effects, though not every patient will experience any or all of these side effects. However, it’s good to know what you may experience while on either medication. Famotidine has slightly fewer common side effects, but every patient responds differently to either medication, so this is not definite.</p>

<table cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="600" style="max-width:100%; border:#eaeaea 1px solid; font-family:'montserrat', sans-serif; ">
<tr style="font-weight:600; background-color:#5ba2b6; color:#ffffff;">
     <td width="50%">Famotidine (H2 blocker)</td>
     <td width="50%">Omeprazole (PPI)</td>
</tr>

<tr>
     <td style="vertical-align:top;">
        <ul style="padding-left:10;">
             <li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Diarrhea</li>
             <li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Constipation</li>
             <li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Headache</li>
             <li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Dizziness</li>
        </ul>
     </td>
     <td  style="vertical-align:top;">
           <ul>
             <li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Diarrhea</li>
             <li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Constipation</li>
             <li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Headache</li>
             <li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Abdominal pain</li>
             <li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Nausea & vomiting</li>
             <li style="margin-bottom:7px;">Flatulence (gas)</li>
        </ul>
     </td>
</tr>
</table>

<h2>Which One Should I Be On? </h2>

<p>This question is best answered by your healthcare provider. However, there are a number of things to consider, which are outlined here. </p>

<table width="100%" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" style="border: 1px solid #5ba2b6; background-color:#ffffff;">

<tr style="background-color:#5ba2b6; color:#ffffff;  font-weight:600; text-align:center">
     <td width="50%">Famotidine</td>
     <td width="50%">Omeprazole</td>
</tr>

<tr>
     <td colspan="2" style="background-color:#EAF1F4; text-align:center; font-weight:600;">Used for
</tr>

<tr style="border-bottom:1px solid #eaeaea; vertical-align:top;">
     <td style="border-right:1px solid #eaeaea;">
         <ol style="list-style-type: none; padding-left:0">
                <li style="margin-bottom:15px;">GERD</li>
                <li style="margin-bottom:15px;"><strong><span style="border-bottom:solid .125em #fee203;">Prevention of duodenal ulcer(s)</span></strong></li>
                <li style="margin-bottom:15px;">Duodenal ulcer(s)</li>
                <li style="margin-bottom:15px;">Gastric ulcer(s)</li>
                <li style="margin-bottom:15px;">Hypersecretory conditions</li>
         </ol> 
    </td>

     <td>
         <ol style="list-style-type: none; padding-left:0;">
                <li style="margin-bottom:15px;">GERD</li>
                <li style="margin-bottom:15px;"><strong><span style="border-bottom:solid .125em #fee203;">Prevention of erosive esophagitis</span></strong></li>
                <li style="margin-bottom:15px;">Duodenal ulcer(s)</li>
                <li style="margin-bottom:15px;">Gastric ulcer(s)</li>
                <li style="margin-bottom:15px;">Hypersecretory conditions</li>
         </ol> 
    </td>
</tr>

<tr>
     <td colspan="2" style="background-color:#EAF1F4; text-align:center; font-weight:600;">Short-term effectiveness</td>
</tr>

<tr style="border-bottom:1px solid #eaeaea; vertical-align:top;">
     <td>Very effective</td>
     <td>Very effective</td>
</tr>

<tr>
     <td colspan="2" style="background-color:#EAF1F4; text-align:center; font-weight:600;">Long-term effectiveness</td>
</tr>

<tr style="border-bottom:1px solid #eaeaea; vertical-align:top;">
     <td>Less effective</td>
     <td>Very effective</td>
</tr>

<tr>
     <td colspan="2" style="background-color:#EAF1F4; text-align:center; font-weight:600;">Side effects</td>
</tr>

<tr style="border-bottom:1px solid #eaeaea; vertical-align:top;">
     <td>Rare, fewer side effects</td>
     <td>Rare, more possible side effects</td>
</tr>



<tr>
     <td colspan="2" style="background-color:#EAF1F4; text-align:center; font-weight:600;">Long-term use</td>
</tr>

<tr style="border-bottom:1px solid #eaeaea; vertical-align:top;">
     <td>It's likely safe to take long-term</td>
     <td>There are some safety risks when taking long-term</td>
</tr>

<tr>
     <td colspan="2" style="background-color:#EAF1F4; text-align:center; font-weight:600;">For nursing or pregnant women</td>
</tr>

<tr style="border-bottom:1px solid #eaeaea; vertical-align:top;">
     <td>Not well studied&mdash;likely safe, potentially safer than omeprazole.</td>
     <td>Not well studied, potentially safe.</td>
</tr>

<tr>
     <td colspan="2" style="background-color:#EAF1F4; text-align:center; font-weight:600;">Can children take it?</td>
</tr>

<tr style="border-bottom:1px solid #eaeaea; vertical-align:top;">
     <td>Yes, but there may be an increased risk of infection.</td>
     <td>Yes</td>
</tr>

<tr>
     <td colspan="2" style="background-color:#EAF1F4; text-align:center; font-weight:600;">Drug-drug interactions</td>
</tr>

<tr style="border-bottom:1px solid #eaeaea; vertical-align:top;">
     <td>There are no major interactions with other medications.</td>
     <td>Maybe. There are many medications that you should not be taking while on omeprazole.</td>
</tr>

<tr>
     <td colspan="2" style="background-color:#EAF1F4; text-align:center; font-weight:600;">Cost at Marley Drug</td>
</tr>

<tr style="border-bottom:1px solid #eaeaea; vertical-align:top;">
     <td>$70 for a 12-month supply<br>$37 for a 6-month supply</td>
     <td>$70 for a 12-month supply<br>$37 for a 6-month supply</td>
</tr>

</table>

<h2>Effectiveness and Risks of Taking Omeprazole vs. Famotidine Long-term</h2>

<p style="background-color:#EDF2F4; border: 2px dotted #8DA3A8; text-align:center;">See the <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/long-term-use-of-ppis-and-risks"_blank">long-terms risks of taking PPIs</a></p>

<p>The long-term risks for famotidine and omeprazole have been studied but are not extensive. The risks associated with being on PPIs such as omeprazole long-term are more concrete than the risks of being on famotidine long-term. </p>

<p>The most concrete <strong><span style="border-bottom:solid .125em #fee203;">possible risks of being on omeprazole long-term are vitamin and mineral deficiencies</span></strong>. Since PPIs are effective long-term, they cause long-term reduction of the amount of acid in your stomach. While this is great for treating many conditions, it can also lead to health risks. Vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12, calcium, and magnesium, require acid to be released from food and/or absorbed into our bodies. Because of this, suppressing the acid for a long time with PPIs can lead to less of these vitamins and minerals getting into our bodies and we can develop deficiencies. There are ways to treat these deficiencies, by greatly increasing the amount of these vitamins and minerals you consume, but it’s also worth re-evaluating if you need to be on PPIs for so long that this develops. </p>

<p>There are also a number of other possible risks involved with taking PPIs long-term including kidney issues, increased risk of ulcers, C. difficile infections, and gastric cancer. However, the links between these conditions and PPIs have not been studied well enough at this point to form conclusive links between these conditions and PPI use. </p>

<p><strong>H<sub>2</sub>RAs are not thought to have the same risks</strong>, or at least not as great of a risk for developing these conditions from long-term H2RA use. Why is that? The most probable reason is <strong><span style="border-bottom:solid .125em #fee203;">because H<sub>2</sub>RAs don’t actually work very well long-term</span></strong>. People taking H<sub>2</sub>RAs, like famotidine, develop something called “tolerance”. This is when your body essentially gets used to what the drug is doing and starts making up for it. In the case of famotidine, your body notices that your acid is being suppressed so it starts making up for it by making more acid. It’s not conclusive how this actually happens, but it has been well documented that it does happen relatively quickly after being on H<sub>2</sub>RAs. </p>



<h2>What if I am Pregnant or Breastfeeding?</h2>

<p>Many medications have not been well studied in pregnant and/or breastfeeding women, due to the safety concerns of studying possibly unsafe medications in these women and the possible dangers to their infants. Because of this, it’s often recommended that pregnant and/or breastfeeding women avoid some medications when possible, and try to treat certain conditions, like GERD, with <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/lifestyle-tips-for-gerd">lifestyle modifications</a> before switching to medications.</p>

<p>Famotidine is technically safe for use while pregnant, though there aren’t many human studies that have fully evaluated the safety. Because of this, it’s <strong>usually recommended to limit use of famotidine while pregnant</strong>. If you are taking famotidine and become pregnant your healthcare provider may weigh the pros and cons of keeping you on famotidine and decide it’s in your best interest to keep taking it. Famotidine is also generally avoided while breastfeeding, since it does get into the breastmilk. It’s not likely a high enough concentration to negatively affect the baby, but this is also not well studied. </p>

<p>Similarly, the safety of Omeprazole has not been fully studied in pregnant women. It’s not shown to be safe in pregnant animals, but the transfer of that to humans isn’t always consistent. However, because of this it’s also <strong>generally recommended to avoid using omeprazole while pregnant</strong>. Omeprazole gets into the breastmilk and since it’s difficult to know exactly how much of the medication the newborn is getting through the breastmilk, it is recommended to avoid omeprazole if breastfeeding. </p>

<p>For pregnant and/or breastfeeding women, it is generally recommended to avoid the use of either omeprazole or famotidine. However, your healthcare provider may decide that the possible risks are less substantial than the benefits of being on the medication and may choose to keep you on either medication. In this case, famotidine is usually preferred since it may have a slightly better safety profile.</p>

<h2>Are They Safe for Children?</h2>

<p>Omeprazole has been indicated for use in children as young as 1 month old for various conditions, such as GERD. It has been deemed both safe and effective for children.</p>

<p>Famotidine has also been proven safe and effective for use in children. However, use of H<sub>2</sub>RAs in children aged 4&ndash;36 months has been associated with an increased risk of developing pneumonia and gastroenteritis (infection in your digestive system). Because of this, it may be best to avoid famotidine in children aged 4&ndash;36 months. </p>

<h2>Which is Better If I am on Other Medication?</h2>

<p>Famotidine has no major contraindications with other medications. Omeprazole, however, has many interactions with medications including HIV medications, clopidogrel, methotrexate, and certain antibiotics. Because of this, <strong><span style="border-bottom:solid .125em #fee203;">it may be safer for you to take famotidine if you are on many medications<span></strong>. </p>

<p>Regardless, it’s important for you to make your healthcare provider aware of any prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, natural health products, and supplements you may be taking in case they interact with a medication you’re taking. </p>




<h2>Omeprazole and Famotidine Price</h2>

<p>The cost of famotidine and omeprazole can vary based on the pharmacy and the dosage you’ve been prescribed. However, at Marley Drug you can get <strong>famotidine and omeprazole for the same price</strong>. This price doesn’t change no matter which strength or dosing frequency you’ve been prescribed. </p>

<p>Both omeprazole and famotidine are part of our <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/wholesale-price-list">Wholesale Price List</a>. This means that you can get a 6-month supply for $37 or a full 12-month supply for $70. This price still doesn’t change even if you are prescribed 2 pills per day. Shipping is also free for 6- and 12- month supplies, so there are no extra additional charges.</p>

<p>This is great because sometimes people will be on a medication that works well for them but have to change to another medication like from an H<sub>2</sub>RA to a PPI, or vice versa, because of cost. With our Marley Drug Wholesale Price List, you can stay on one medication and don’t have to worry about cost changes or sacrificing your wellbeing by switching to a cheaper alternative</p>


<h5><strong>Questions?</strong></h5>

<p>If you aren’t sure what medication you should take be sure to talk with your healthcare provider or one of our pharmacists: Dee, Jon and Chris, who would be happy to help answer any questions you have. To speak with a pharmacist please give us a call at <a href="tel:1-800-810-7790">1-800-810-7790</a>.</p>

<hr style="border-bottom:2px dotted #efefef;">

<div style="margin:40 auto 30 auto; font-size:.9em; line-height:1.4;">
<strong>References:</strong><br>

<ol>
<li>Prilosec (omeprazole) – Access data FDA-Approved Drugs [Internet]. [amended 09/2012; accessed 06/2022]. </li>
<li>Koyyada, A. (2021). Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors as a risk factor for various adverse manifestations. Therapies, 76(1), 13-21. doi: 10.1016/j.therap.2020.06.019</li>
<li>Pepcid (famotidine) – Access data FDA-Approved Drugs [Internet]. 1986 [amended 06/2011; accessed 06/2022].</li>
<li>Zhang, Y. (2015). Proton pump inhibitors therapy vs H2 receptor antagonists therapy for upper gastrointestinal bleeding after endoscopy: A meta-analysis. World Journal Of Gastroenterology, 21(20), 6341. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i20.6341</li>

</ol>

</div>

<hr style="border-bottom:2px dotted #efefef;">

Both famotidine and omeprazole are used to treat acid-related digestive issues such as GERD, erosive esophagitis, stomach & duodenal ulcers and hypersecretory conditions. Although they are both stomach acid reducers, they differ in how they work and how they are used. In this article we will compare them side by side to help you make informed decisions when you talk with your healthcare provider.

Worried about heartburn? Confused about Famotidine vs. Omeprazole? We break down the differences! Learn which is more effective for you and save with Marley Drug's affordable options.

Famotidine vs. Omeprazole: Which Acid Reducer is Right for You?

Choosing the Right Acid Reflux Medication: Dive into the Famotidine vs. Omeprazole Debate

<p>Many online pharmacies have sprung up all over the country lately. They all seem to offer the same thing: low cost, convenience, and fast delivery. So, how do you know which ones are good? More importantly, can you trust them?  We compiled a checklist to make it easy for you to choose.  Use the list below when comparing online pharmacies and make an informed decision. </p>


<h2>    Certification </h2>

<p>Make sure the pharmacy you choose is a licensed US pharmacy and is also licensed to dispense and ship your medication to your location. The NABP (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy) has a list of <a href="https://safe.pharmacy/buy-safely/">accredited online pharmacies</a>.  Verified pharmacies should display the .Pharmacy (dot pharmacy) certificate on their website.   <p>

<img src="https://marley-storage.imgix.net/a1813159-fcfd-41da-b8a1-8671f90c2397/legitscript.png" alt="LegitScript" width="100" height="auto" style="display:inline; max-width:100%; padding-right:20px;">

<img src="https://marley-storage.imgix.net/b5afce91-2bba-4990-abdf-9510c3fb20fd/dotpharmacy.png" alt="Dot Pharmacy" width="150" height="auto" style="display:inline; max-width:100%;">

<p>Another certification that shows sites’ credibility is <a href="https://nationalpositions.com/legitscript-certification-what-is-it-and-does-your-business-need-it/" target="_blank">LegitScript</a>. When you see the  LegitScript badge on a website, it means the company is legitimate, legal, and trustworthy. </p>

<h2>    Prescriptions Required </h2>

<p>Certain “online pharmacies” may not require a prescription for certain medications. This is illegal distribution. Be sure that you are asked to upload your prescription or give your current pharmacies information before ordering. <p>

<h2>    Transparent (and Affordable) Pricing </h2>

<p>If a pharmacy is upfront about how they price their medications and offer generic medication alternatives instead of just the pricey name brands, that is a sign they most likely prioritize patient care over profit. <p>

<h2>    Customer Service Support </h2>

<p>Just because a pharmacy is online, doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be a relationship with the customer. Look for a pharmacy that values customer feedback. Also, look for one that is easy to contact. Do they only have an email? Or do they also have a phone line and social media accounts with open direct messages to help you or answer any questions that you may have? The more available the better! <p>

<h2>    Refill and Pharmacy Switching </h2>

<p>Look at what their process for changing to their pharmacy is and how they process refills. The best online pharmacies will make switching and refills as simple as possible. This information should also be easy to find. You don’t want to switch to an online pharmacy to save time only to find out you need to call and be on hold for hours to get your refills. <p>

<h2>    Flexible Wholesale Options </h2>

<p>Medication is typically cheapest when bought in bulk. If you have medications you plan to take for your whole life, or at least the foreseeable future, look for pharmacies that can fill <a href="https://www.marleydrug.com/blog/5-reasons-why-filling-your-medications-in-longer-supply-may-save-you-time-and-money">long-term prescriptions</a> at a discounted price to the typical monthly or quarter annually refills. <p>

<h2>Bonus: Information and Resources </h2>

<p>Some online pharmacies may also create content (blogs, email subscriptions) to inform their customers and foster a pharmacy-patient relationship. Although this may not speak to the reputability of the pharmacy, it may give you more of an insight into their values and resources. So it may be a good idea to browse the pages on their website before making a final decision. <p>

Many online pharmacies have sprung up all over the country lately. They all seem to offer the same thing: low cost, convenience, and fast delivery. So, how do you know which ones are good? More importantly, can you trust them? We compiled a checklist to make it easy for you to choose. Use the list below when comparing online pharmacies and make an informed decision.

A guide for choosing an legitimate online pharmacy. These are 6 things you should be checking when searching for online pharmacies.

6 Things to Look for When Choosing an Online Pharmacy

Blogs Related to Omeprazole

Marley Drug offers 100s of medications, including omeprazole, for just $70/year through our Wholesale Price List. One price; no price fluctuations from a trusted pharmacy. We ship to all 50 states.

Get Omeprazole (generic Prilosec^®) for $70/year

Fewer pharmacy visits. Fill in 30-, 90-, 180-, or 360-day supply at a time.

What is Omeprazole (Prilosec)?

Omeprazole is on Marley Drug’s Wholesale Price List

Learn about Omeprazole from our Pharmacist Dee!

How to Order Omeprazole

Order your medications on our website

We'll verify your prescription details

We ship it to your home

Have medication questions?
Talk with a pharmacist today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Omeprazole

Blogs Related to Omeprazole

You might be paying more for your generic medications. Here’s why.

How Paying Cash for Your Prescriptions Can Cost Less Than Your Copay

Managing Acid Reflux: Omeprazole vs. Pantoprazole

Choosing the Right Acid Reflux Medication: Dive into the Famotidine vs. Omeprazole Debate

6 Things to Look for When Choosing an Online Pharmacy

Pharmacy Hours

Contact us

Follow us

Get Omeprazole (generic Prilosec®) for $70/year

Fewer pharmacy visits. Fill in 30-, 90-, 180-, or 360-day supply at a time.

What is Omeprazole (Prilosec)?

Omeprazole is on Marley Drug’s Wholesale Price List

Learn about Omeprazole from our Pharmacist Dee!

How to Order Omeprazole

Order your medications on our website

We'll verify your prescription details

We ship it to your home

Have medication questions?Talk with a pharmacist today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Omeprazole

You might be paying more for your generic medications. Here’s why.

How Paying Cash for Your Prescriptions Can Cost Less Than Your Copay

Managing Acid Reflux: Omeprazole vs. Pantoprazole

Choosing the Right Acid Reflux Medication: Dive into the Famotidine vs. Omeprazole Debate

6 Things to Look for When Choosing an Online Pharmacy

Get Omeprazole (generic Prilosec^®) for $70/year

Have medication questions?
Talk with a pharmacist today.