Alternatives for treating acid reflux

Much of my life I've battled stomach problems. It appears I can blame milk for some of that.

But doctors also diagnosed me with acid reflux some time ago. Though I haven't had to take a regular prescription, I found some real relief from the popularly known "Purple Pill," Nexium.

Consumer Reports now says we're spending too much for heartburn relief from the Purple Pill, when there are less expensive and equally as effective alternatives.

In its report released this week, "Drugs to Treat Heartburn and Stomach Acid Reflux: The Proton Pump Inhibitors," Consumer Reports recommends Prilosec or generic omeprazole OTC based on "evidence for effectiveness, safety, cost and other factors."

"Nexium does heal the esophagus, so does omeprazole," said Dr. John Santa, director of the Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center.

Santa said Nexium's parent company Astrazenca conducted a study that showed Nexium performed slightly better in healing the esophagus than omeprazole at 10 weeks. But there was no difference in performance at eight weeks and 12 weeks.

Another benefit of Prilosec and omeprazole is that they are available without a prescription.

So the potential savings for consumers is outstanding: Nexium runs about $240 a month, while the over-the-counter drugs will cost you $24.

Nexium is the nation's second-highest selling drug with $3.1 billion in sales in 2008 across the country and $5.2 billion in sales globally.

Blair Hains, a spokesman for Astrazenca, said Nexium remains the leader in drugs for stomach acid relief, as it has out-performed its counterparts "in 12 head-to-head studies."

"Ultimately, it's up to the patients and doctors to decide what treatment is best for them," Hains said. "Everybody's individual situation is different."

Indeed. But because this is a consumer column aimed at helping everyday folks find a better deal, here's the Edge for heartburn relief, courtesy of Consumer Reports:

• Track how often you get heartburn, so you can tell your doctor.

• Eat smaller meals, lose weight, and avoid alcohol.

• Try over-the-counter antacids such as Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids or Tums or one of the acid-reducing drugs known as an H2 blocker — cimetidine (Tagamet HB), famotidine (Pepcid AC), nizatidine (axid AR) or ranitidine (Zantac 150). These are available as low-cost generics.

• See a doctor if symptoms persist.

• Compare cost and effectiveness of different proton pump inhibitors if your doctor recommends one. Check to see if your insurance covers over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors.

Ivan Penn can be reached at ipenn@sptimes.com or (727) 892-2332. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Consumers_Edge and become a fan of Consumer's Edge on Facebook.