Patients May Want to Switch to OTC Prilosec

When the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) Prilosec became available over the counter (OTC) this fall, some Humana members who take a PPI in prescription form for infrequent heartburn or other nonserious conditions may have begun evaluating whether it would be beneficial for them to switch to the OTC version.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the OTC formulation of Prilosec, one of five branded PPIs, in June 2003. Prilosec OTC is formulated at prescription strength, in 20-mg tablets, and is selling for an average price of about 70 cents per tablet.

In the past, management options for self-treating consumers have been limited to short-acting antacids, which must be taken several times a day, and low-dose H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs). One dose of an H2RA typically works up to 12 hours. With Prilosec OTC, consumers now have access to a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), a longer-lasting treatment option for controlling heartburn symptoms, with one dose working for up to 24 hours.

Prilosec OTC, the only PPI available without a prescription, is sold as a pink tablet formulated with 20.6 mg of omeprazole magnesium, which is equivalent to 20 mg of omeprazole.

Humana encourages its members to discuss prescription and OTC medications, including Prilosec OTC, with their physicians prior to making any changes. Certain Humana members may have received a coupon that can be used for a free 14-day supply of Prilosec OTC. In most cases, the average cost of a 30-day supply of Prilosec OTC is less than a Humana member’s copayment for a PPI.

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