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Compare Tagamet HB vs. Prevacid

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

Key takeaways

Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) and lansoprazole (Prevacid) are both used to treat conditions related to excess stomach acid, but they belong to different drug classes and work in different ways. Cimetidine is a histamine H2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) that blocks acid production in the stomach, while lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that stops acid from being pumped into the stomach. Cimetidine is available both over-the-counter (OTC) and by prescription, and it can be used for heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and ulcers. Lansoprazole is also available OTC and by prescription, but it is typically used for more frequent heartburn, GERD, and ulcers. Lansoprazole can also lower the risk of ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Cimetidine can be taken multiple times a day, whereas lansoprazole is usually taken once daily. Cimetidine has more drug interactions compared to lansoprazole, which can make it less suitable for people taking multiple medications. Long-term use of lansoprazole can lead to risks like bone fractures and low magnesium levels, which are less likely with cimetidine.

Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)
Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)
Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
Summary of Tagamet HB vs. Prevacid
Summary for Histamine H2 receptor antagonist (H2RA)
Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) is a histamine H2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) that lowers how much acid is made in the stomach. The over-the-counter (OTC) version relieves and prevents heartburn in people 12 years and older. Higher strengths of cimetidine are prescription only and are used to treat acid reflux, stomach and gut ulcers, and other stomach acid problems in people 16 years and older. Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) is taken by mouth one to four times a day, depending on what stomach problem you have. This medication has few side effects, which can include headache, dizziness, and diarrhea.
Summary for PPI
Lansoprazole (Prevacid) a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI). It treats heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other similar conditions by lowering the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Lansoprazole (Prevacid) is available over the counter (OTC) for adults only, while providers can prescribe lansoprazole (Prevacid) for children and adults. Lansoprazole (Prevacid) is taken by mouth, typically once daily for most conditions. Although there aren't many noticeable side effects on a day-to-day basis, long-term use of lansoprazole (Prevacid) can raise certain risks like bone fractures.
Indications of Tagamet HB vs. Prevacid
Indications for

•Heartburn related to indigestion and sour stomach - OTC only

•Erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) - prescription only

•Gastric and duodenal ulcers - prescription only

•Conditions that cause too much stomach acid (such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome) - prescription only

Indications for
For adults only:

•Frequent heartburn (2 or more days a week) - OTC only

•Stomach or duodenal ulcer

•Lower the risk of duodenal ulcer caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection

•Lower the risk of stomach ulcer due to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)

•Other medical conditions that cause too much stomach acid (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)

For adults and children:

•Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

•Erosive esophagitis (EE)
Pros and Cons of Tagamet HB vs. Prevacid
Pros and Const for Histamine H2 receptor antagonist (H2RA)
Pros

•Available as an OTC product for heartburn only

•Available as a tablets and an oral solution

Cons

•Interacts with many medications, including warfarin (Coumadin) and propranolol

•Might not work as well as you continue taking the medication (when taken long-term)

Pros and Const for PPI
Pros

•Can continue to use with antacids, such as calcium carbonate

•Available as over-the-counter and lower-cost generic options

•Capsules can be opened and sprinkled over soft foods (e.g., applesauce, yogurt)

•Typically few to no noticeable day-to-day side effects

Cons

•Takes about 3 days for the medication to fully kick in, so not the best choice for immediate heartburn relief

•Might cause or worsen lupus

•Long-term use might weaken bones and raise the risk of bone fracture

•Can lower magnesium and vitamin B12 levels
Common Side Effects of Tagamet HB vs. Prevacid
Common Side Effects for

•Diarrhea

•Headache

•Dizziness

•Sleepiness

Common Side Effects for

•Diarrhea (4%)

•Belly pain (2%)
Warnings of Tagamet HB vs. Prevacid
Common Side Effects for

•Speak with provider if symptoms don't go away or come back

•Confusion

•Drug interactions

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

•Caution use in people with phenylketonuria (PKU) - orally disintegrating tablets only
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Compare Tagamet HB vs. Prevacid

Key takeaways

Summary of Tagamet HB vs. Prevacid

Indications of Tagamet HB vs. Prevacid

Pros and Cons of Tagamet HB vs. Prevacid

Common Side Effects of Tagamet HB vs. Prevacid

Warnings of Tagamet HB vs. Prevacid

Prices with our coupons for Tagamet HB vs. Prevacid

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