Investigate

• 1). Discuss your specific condition with a doctor. Ask the physician for an opinion on which proton pump inhibitor might be best.
  
  
• 2). Consider the choices that are available. The PPIs available are Prilosec (omeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole), Aciphex (rabeprazole), Protonix (pantoprazole), and Nexium (esomeprazole). Go to the local pharmacist and ask for a printout of each one.
  
  
• 3). Visit the official website of each medication. Consider the side effects (headache, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, nausea and rash are common ones), time each takes to work, and drug interactions.
  
  
• 4). Call your health insurance plan to confirm that it will cover each of the proton pump inhibitor medications.
  
  
• 5). Decide based on the information received which PPI might be best. Call the doctor to confirm the decision. Have a prescription called into the pharmacy.
  
  
• 6). Pick up the prescription and give it a try, following the doctor's prescribing information. Keep in mind that certain proton pump inhibitors may work better for one person than another. If the PPI does not appear to be working within the time frame the doctor gave, call to see if it is possible to try a different PPI.