Aciphex versus Rantitdine HCL ??

[Casual observer]

My Doctor prescribed a course of Aciphex after a routine annual scope
session to monitor the status of my previouosly diagnosed GERD. Now, I'm
back to taking OTC Prilosec (omeprazole), as I had been previously - it
seems to be keepting the situation under control. At one point I had been
taking Ranitidine HCL, but switched to Prilosec. My Pharma benefits company
(Medco) pinged me today to let me know about the huge savings I could
realize if I started using Ranitidine HCL instead of Aciphex.

QUESTION - ranitidine and Aciphex aren't the same thing. are they?

Thanks!

[Howard McCollister]

Post by Casual observer
My Doctor prescribed a course of Aciphex after a routine annual scope
session to monitor the status of my previouosly diagnosed GERD. Now, I'm
back to taking OTC Prilosec (omeprazole), as I had been previously - it
seems to be keepting the situation under control. At one point I had been
taking Ranitidine HCL, but switched to Prilosec. My Pharma benefits
company (Medco) pinged me today to let me know about the huge savings I
could realize if I started using Ranitidine HCL instead of Aciphex.
QUESTION - ranitidine and Aciphex aren't the same thing. are they?
Thanks!

No. They're different categories. H2 receptor antagonists (Tagamet, Pepcid,
Zantac - Zantac is ranitidine) are generally less effective than proton pump
inhibitors (Prilosec, Prevacid, Aciphex etc), but different drugs work
differently in different patients.

I'm all for saving money. If the ranitidine controls your symptoms to your
satisfaction, use that by all means. If not, use a PPI.

HMc

[[e-mail] |]

Post by Casual observer
My Doctor prescribed a course of Aciphex after a routine annual scope
session to monitor the status of my previouosly diagnosed GERD.  Now, I'm
back to taking OTC Prilosec (omeprazole), as I had been previously - it
seems to be keepting the situation under control.  At one point I had been
taking Ranitidine HCL, but switched to Prilosec.  My Pharma benefits company
(Medco) pinged me today to let me know about the huge savings I could
realize if I started using Ranitidine HCL instead of Aciphex.
QUESTION - ranitidine and Aciphex aren't the same thing. are they?
Thanks!

Given that these are drugs aren't of the same drug classes, this
suggestion on the part of a benefits company seems something less than
fully ethical depending on how it is worded.
On the other hand, I histamine 2 blocker acid reducer
meds caused me far few apparent adverse effect than the PPI class
meds. Rabeprazole and omeprazole both gave different symptoms
suggesting nervous system toxicity such that I had to quit both
meds indeed I quit all the conventional meds.

[m***@privacy.net]

Post by ***@gmail.com |
On the other hand, I histamine 2 blocker acid reducer
meds caused me far few apparent adverse effect than the PPI class
meds. Rabeprazole and omeprazole both gave different symptoms
suggesting nervous system toxicity such that I had to quit both
meds indeed I quit all the conventional meds.

Hmm...

I tried switching form Prolisec to much
cheaper ranatidine and it just didn't
work out for me

The ranatidine seemed to give me more
diarrhea problems

I have ulcerative colitis as well as
GERD so definitely didn't want any
diarrhea problems!!

I went back to Prilosec....omeprazole
actually