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Popular Heartburn Drug Goes OTC

Posting Date: 08/18/2003

Q. I have read that Prilosec will be going over the counter in the fall. Perhaps you can answer the following questions:

1. Is this true?

2. When is the expected date?

3. Will it be prescription strength or a reduced version?

4. What is the estimated cost per pill?

5. Is there a generic available?

A. For years, Prilosec was the most popular prescription drug for heartburn and acid reflux. The FDA has now approved Prilosec for OTC sale at a dose of 20 mg. This is one of the doses available by prescription. Doctors can prescribe either 10, 20 or 40 mg pills.

Prilosec OTC is expected to become available towards the end of September. The cost is expected to be around $30 for 42 tablets. That is substantially less than the prescription price of around $4 per pill.

Generic omeprazole is currently only available by prescription. It is almost as expensive as the brand name Prilosec, but for those with insurance the co-pay might be less than the OTC price.

Q. I heard that carbonated drinks rob the bones of calcium. Is that really true? If so, should I be avoiding beverages such as seltzer water or any carbonated water?

A. Nutritionists used to warn that the phosphorous in soft drinks would have a negative impact on calcium balance. But according to osteoporosis expert, Robert Heaney, MD, there is no evidence for this. If carbonated drinks are harmful for bones, it may be that women and children are drinking them instead of calcium-rich milk.

We don?t see any reason to avoid carbonated water or seltzer. To maintain good bone strength, though, make sure to get adequate calcium, magnesium and vitamin D along with plenty of weight-bearing exercise such as walking, jogging or tennis.

Q. I read with interest the question about a woman with a terrible cough. She takes blood pressure medicines, and you warned against Sudafed, an over-the-counter decongestant, because it could raise blood pressure.