Two medicines, side by side
Esomeprazole vs lansoprazole
Esomeprazole and lansoprazole are both labeled for acid reflux and ulcers. Drugs@FDA records approvals of esomeprazole since 2001 and of lansoprazole since 1995. Pharmacies paid $0.145 per esomeprazole mag DR 20 mg capsule and $0.106 per lansoprazole DR 30 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the esomeprazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 19, 2024); the lansoprazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 24, 2025).
Highlights of the esomeprazole record
Esomeprazole (Nexium) · label of March 19, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationstreats frequent heartburn (occurs 2 or more days a week) not intended for immediate relief of heartburn; this drug may take 1 to 4 days for full effect
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 20, 2001
- Generic labelers
- 116 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.145 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 12
Highlights of the lansoprazole record
Lansoprazole (Prevacid) · label of June 24, 2025
Used for
From the label: indications• treats frequent heartburn (occurs 2 or more days a week) • not intended for immediate relief of heartburn; this drug may take 1 to 4 days for full effect
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 10, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 59 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.106 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 15
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Esomeprazole label of March 19, 2024, Lansoprazole label of June 24, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do esomeprazole and lansoprazole differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class proton pump inhibitors.
Generics: esomeprazole since 2013; lansoprazole since 2009 (Drugs@FDA).
| Esomeprazole | Lansoprazole | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acid reflux and ulcers | Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Proton Pump Inhibitor | Proton Pump Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 20, 2001 | May 10, 1995 |
| First generic approved | March 18, 2013 | November 10, 2009 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 116 labelers | 59 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.145 per capsule (Esomeprazole mag DR 20 mg capsule) | $0.106 per capsule (Lansoprazole DR 30 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | +0.7% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 12 | 15 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 235,202 | 177,061 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to esomeprazole
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions