Does Walmart really need five versions of OTC omeprazole?

[y_p_w]

My mom (who gets this for my dad’s heartburn) said that she hasn’t been able to find it at Costco recently, except maybe as brand name Prilosec. I looked up the prices at Target and Walmart and found five different WM house branded version with 42 count and 20 mg per dose. It was caplets, caplets with sodium bicarbonate, berry mint, cool mint, and capsules. All the same price ($9.97). I asked what to get, and my mom said nothing flavored as it would annoy my dad. When I got to the store they were also the same price, although 50 cents more and WM doesn’t price match. The other thing was that they seem to have changed the capsules from larger ones (maybe 15mm) to mini ones (around 7mm) although there was only one box of the newer version on the shelf.

But I guess this is a very popular medication. Enough to get five different generic versions, although I only noticed one version of the brand name. And even more versions elsewhere, like strawberry.

 

[dubber09]

Baking soda may work well for heartburn, just mixed in water. This neutralizes acidity in stomach. As we age the body's composition becomes more acidic which is one of the main reasons people get cancer. Stay healthy.

 

[Analog-1]

The house version at least for me does not work. Prilosec 20mg once a day does. Most people do not realize how bad acid reflux can get and these meds are life savers for those that need them.

 

[Bailey28]

I have been on doctor ordered Famotidine (Pepsid AC) for 13 years now. I take one pill before bed every day. No heartburn unless I eat something bad or over eat.

OTC is cheap, Sams has them for $10.73 for 200 pills..

 

[Drifter]

I have heard these pills are not good for your health. Try the the baking soda and change up your diet. Or don't. Best wishes to ya.

 

[John105]

I was given this by prescription. Even after it went OTC, a rx drug (if still on the formulary) is usually? cheaper than the OTC price, even Costco. One day my blood work revealed my kidneys weren’t happy. Doctor said stop using omeprazole and if needed use Tums. I followed the advice and for whatever reason nothing bad happened. It made me pause and think it’s altogether possible to be using a rx drug regularly when not needed

 

[D60]

{snip}It made me pause and think it’s altogether possible to be using a rx drug regularly when not needed

Uh, yes!!!!

 

[y_p_w]

I was given this by prescription. Even after it went OTC, a rx drug (if still on the formulary) is usually? cheaper than the OTC price, even Costco. One day my blood work revealed my kidneys weren’t happy. Doctor said stop using omeprazole and if needed use Tums. I followed the advice and for whatever reason nothing bad happened. It made me pause and think it’s altogether possible to be using a rx drug regularly when not needed

Sure. I remember getting a generic prescription medication where the retail price that I was charged was less than the $5 copay. I’ve talked to pharmacists about getting my preferred allergy meds, and was told they had or could order various dosages if I had a prescription. Several were the same dosage as nonprescription.

 

[Leo99]

Sure. I remember getting a generic prescription medication where the retail price that I was charged was less than the $5 copay. I’ve talked to pharmacists about getting my preferred allergy meds, and was told they had or could order various dosages if I had a prescription. Several were the same dosage as nonprescription.

One of my Rx is free after insurance. Think it's my generic Lipitor.

 

[football]

Google omeprazole and you’ll probably never take another one. I will admit that it does a good job with heartburn. I use over stuff now…

 

[PandaBear]

I mean why not, we have probably 10 different types of ham and maybe 10 different types of milk already, and probably 5 different types of eggs too.