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Compare Protonix vs. Pepcid

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Protonix (pantoprazole) is a medication that treats conditions in which your body creates too much stomach acid, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Pepcid AC (famotidine) is a medication approved to treat heartburn. Protonix is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), and it’s available by prescription only. Pepcid AC is a histamine-2 antagonist, and it’s available over the counter. Other forms of Pepcid are available by prescription and are approved to treat other conditions, including GERD. Both medications can cause stomach-related side effects such as nausea and diarrhea. But PPIs like Protonix may have more long-term side effects to consider, such as low vitamin B12 and magnesium levels, kidney problems, and bone fractures.

  • Pantoprazole (Protonix)
    Famotidine (Pepcid)
  • Pantoprazole (Protonix)
    Famotidine (Pepcid)

  • Summary of Protonix vs. Pepcid

    Summary for Proton pump inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Pantoprazole (Protonix) is a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI). It's used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in adults and children. It's also used to treat other conditions involving too much stomach acid, such as erosive esophagitis, in adults only. Pantoprazole (Protonix) is taken by mouth, typically once daily for most conditions. Some of the more common side effects of this medication include headache and diarrhea. Pantoprazole (Protonix) isn't available over-the-counter (OTC).

    Summary for Histamine H2 antagonist

    Famotidine (Pepcid) is a type of acid reducer called a histamine-2 (H2) antagonist. It helps treat problems caused by too much stomach acid. Over-the-counter famotidine (Pepcid or Pepcid AC) can help with heartburn in people who are 12 and up. Prescription-only famotidine is for people with more ongoing stomach acid problems and stomach or gut ulcers. This medication is taken by mouth once or twice a day. It usually starts to work within an hour and lasts several hours. Side effects include headache, dizziness, and constipation.

  • Indications of Protonix vs. Pepcid

    Indications for
    •Short-term treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
    •Erosive esophagitis
    •Other medical conditions that cause too much stomach acid (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)
    Indications for
    •

    Over-the-counter famotidine:

    •Prevention and relief of heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD)
    •

    Prescription famotidine:

    •Stomach ulcers
    •Intestinal ulcers
    •Heartburn (GERD)
    •Erosive esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) due to GERD
    •Other conditions that cause too much stomach acid (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)

  • Pros and Cons of Protonix vs. Pepcid

    Pros and Const for Proton pump inhibitor
    Pros
    •Can continue to use with antacids, such as calcium carbonate
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    •Oral tablets can be taken without regard to food
    •Available in oral granules and suspension for people with trouble swallowing
    Cons
    •Long-term use might weaken bones and raise the risk of bone fractures
    •Might cause or worsen lupus
    •Interacts with warfarin (Coumadin), which can raise the risk of bleeding
    •Not available over-the-counter
    Pros and Const for Histamine H2 antagonist
    Pros
    •Available over the counter (OTC) for heartburn
    •Effects can last for up to several hours after taking
    •Generally well-tolerated with few side effects and risks
    •Can take with antacids if needed (e.g., calcium carbonate (Tums))
    Cons
    •Can take 1 to 3 hours to fully work
    •OTC version not for children under 12 years old
    •Higher risk of certain side effects in older adults and people with kidney problems
    •Might not work as well as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for relieving heartburn and healing stomach ulcers

  • Common Side Effects of Protonix vs. Pepcid

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (12%)
    •Diarrhea (9%)
    •Nausea (7%)
    •Belly pain (6%)

    Please note: Side effect percentages are listed for adults with GERD.

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache
    •Dizziness
    •Constipation
    •Diarrhea

  • Warnings of Protonix vs. Pepcid

    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of hiding symptoms of a more serious problem
    •Sudden kidney problems
    •Severe infectious diarrhea
    •Bone fractures
    •Skin reactions
    •Lupus
    •Low vitamin B12 and magnesium levels
    •Interaction with other medications
    •Inaccurate lab work
    Common Side Effects for
    •Confusion and other side effects related to the nervous system in some people
    •Masking of possible stomach cancer

  • Prices with our coupons for Protonix vs. Pepcid

    Learn more about Pantoprazole
    Learn more about Famotidine

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