Most of us devour the taste of fried food. Imagine having a bucket of deep-fried crispy chicken from KFC or thick-cut, curly fries from McDonald’s. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it? It truly is a perfect treat for the tastebuds. However, this deep indulgence can cause severe consequences, which may or may not come in the form of heartburn. 

Heartburn is a common event that occurs after eating foods with high citrus or spice content. It usually goes away on its own. But, if it doesn’t, you can always use medicines available over the counter. In the case of heartburn, people usually end up having a Zantac versus Nexium debate.

Zantac Versus Nexium: A Debate of Its Own

While some vouch for the effectiveness of Zantac, others affirm that Nexium is unmatchable in terms of quality. Thus, in this article, we have compared the two medicines in light of their benefits, side effects, and risk factors.

Before comparing the two medicines together, it is important to understand the dynamics of each medicine in a separate form.

Zantac

Although it is widely known as Zantac, the medicine itself is ranitidine. The primary purpose of the drug is to cure heartburn and reduce the impact of stomach ulcers. It is perhaps one of the most useful and long-lasting medicines of all time. People who consume it have given positive reviews about its efficacy, quality, and overall results.

However, consuming Zantac with other medicines may be a tad bit of a problem. This is mainly because the drug may start to disrupt and reduce the effect of other medicines in your regimen. Regardless, there are a few great benefits of using the medicine for relieving heartburn.

For a better understanding of the product, we have compiled a list of Zantac’s benefits, its downsides, and potential risk factors (that may or may not occur.)

Pros
  • Easy on the body and stomach, Zantac works well to relieve the individual of heartburn symptoms.
  • If you face problems while swallowing, turn to the liquid version of the medicine that is readily available in the market.
  • Has a very reasonable price, hence making it affordable for the general public suffering from heartburn.
  • The brand also offers a few coupons, which can be availed through your doctor or pharmacist.
Cons
  • It isn’t a quick-relief medicine. The effects of Zantac will take time to fully come through.
  • It doesn’t have long-lasting effects on the said individual.
  • If Zantac is administered for a longer time, vitamin B-12 levels can get drastically low.
  • Hasn’t proven to be very effective in healing an inflamed esophagus.

Risk Factors

  • May result in long-term asthma, and serious lung problems.
  • Can cause many liver and kidney conditions.
  • May result in delirium for people over the age of 60.

Nexium

Similar to Zantac, Nexium is the general brand name for the medication called esomeprazole. The primary aim of this product is to aid in reducing the level of stomach acid. Mostly used as a long-term medicine, it is helpful for people who experience heartburn frequently, that is once or twice a week.

Since Nexium cuts down on the stomach acid, it results in lesser acid available to enter into the esophagus. The best part about the medicine is that you can take it with food or without so that you understand which type of food gives you heartburn.

To further assess Nexium as a product and more importantly as a medicine, we have prepared a comprehensive outline of its key benefits, drawbacks, and potential risks of taking the drug.

Pros
  • People can consume the medicine without suffering from any serious side effects.
  • Nexium has long-lasting effects, so taking the tablet once a day is sufficient to do the job.
  • Like Zantac, it is also reasonably priced and thus easy on the pocket.
  • It offers coupons as well, which are available with doctors/pharmacists.
  • The medicine is also available in a packet if you have difficulty swallowing pills.
Cons
  • Doesn’t provide instant relief.
  • It can take a couple of days before the medicine works to its best use.

Risk Factors

  • A threat of contracting severe diseases such as Lupus, Cancer.
  • Stomach Problems, such as diarrhea.
  • Fracturing bones (more common in people aged 60 or above.)

Zantac versus Nexium: Your Take?

As established above, both medicines serve the same purpose- to cure heartburn and stomach ulcers. But since each of them has different properties and side effects, which one would be a better choice?

Unfortunately, there is no straight answer to this question. The better choice would ultimately depend on your age, health, and pre-existing medical conditions. The Zantac versus Nexium debate will always be prevalent. However, try not to fall in the words of people. If you are suffering from heartburn, consult your doctor as he/she will be able to guide you the best. Regardless, you can always refer to our article for help on the matter.

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