Compare only: no verdictOmeprazole: Schedule H
Omeprazole vs pantoprazole
Omeprazole and pantoprazole are both proton pump inhibitors that reduce stomach acid. Their labels list different uses, dose schedules and warnings. Omeprazole is in Schedule H in India. This page compares label facts only and does not pick one; a doctor or pharmacist decides which suits you.
- Both are
- Proton pump inhibitors (acid reducers)
- Omeprazole in India
- Schedule H (prescription-only)
- Pantoprazole in India
- Not found in the Schedule H lists we checked
- NLEM 2022
- Omeprazole oral forms; pantoprazole injection only
- NPPA ceiling
- Omeprazole capsules/tablets; pantoprazole injection
- Jan Aushadhi
- Both listed
Compiled from official drug labels and Indian government sources. Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's advice.
Omeprazole and Pantoprazole side by side
This table sets out what the labels and Indian regulatory lists say about each medicine. It does not rank them. Your prescriber decides what suits you.
| Point | Omeprazole | Pantoprazole |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class (as the label states) | Proton pump inhibitor (PPI), a substituted benzimidazole. | Proton pump inhibitor (PPI), a substituted benzimidazole. |
| Main labelled uses (US label) | Active duodenal ulcer, clearing H. pylori together with antibiotics, active gastric ulcer, symptomatic GERD, erosive esophagitis and keeping it healed, and pathological hypersecretory conditions. | Short-term treatment of erosive esophagitis with GERD, keeping erosive esophagitis healed, and pathological hypersecretory conditions including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. |
| Labelled adult dosing summary (label-level only; Indian pack labels may differ and your prescriber's instruction applies) | The US label lists 20 mg once daily for duodenal ulcer (4 weeks) and symptomatic GERD (up to 4 weeks), and 40 mg once daily for gastric ulcer (4 to 8 weeks). Hypersecretory conditions have a higher starting dose. | The US label lists 40 mg once daily for up to 8 weeks for erosive esophagitis, 40 mg once daily for maintenance, and 40 mg twice daily for hypersecretory conditions. |
| Common side effects (adults, label) | Headache, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and flatulence. | Headache, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, flatulence, dizziness and joint pain. |
| Serious warnings (label) | Symptom relief does not rule out stomach cancer. Kidney inflammation, C. difficile diarrhoea, bone fracture with long or high-dose use, severe skin reactions, lupus, low vitamin B12 and low magnesium are described. | Symptom relief does not rule out stomach cancer. Kidney inflammation, C. difficile diarrhoea, bone fracture with long or high-dose use, lupus, low vitamin B12, low magnesium and fundic gland polyps are described. |
| Key interactions (label) | Contraindicated with rilpivirine-containing products. The label also discusses clopidogrel, St John's wort, rifampin, atazanavir, methotrexate, warfarin and phenytoin. | Contraindicated with rilpivirine-containing products. The label also discusses atazanavir, saquinavir, methotrexate, warfarin, clopidogrel and ketoconazole. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding (label) | Available human data did not show a higher risk of major birth defects with first-trimester use. Limited data suggest it may be present in breast milk. | The label's pregnancy section describes animal studies that found no fetal harm. It says pantoprazole is excreted in human milk and the benefit to the mother should be weighed. |
| Prescription status in India (Schedules list) | Listed in Schedule H (serial 367): prescription-only. | Not found in the Schedule H/H1/X lists we checked. |
| On NLEM 2022 | Yes: capsules 10, 20 and 40 mg and powder for oral liquid 20 mg. | Yes: injection 40 mg only. Oral forms were not found in the NLEM rows we checked. |
| NPPA price ceiling | Yes, for capsules and tablets (10, 20, 40 mg) and powder for oral liquid. Capsule 20 mg ceiling is Rs 2.49 per capsule (as on 30.09.2020). | Yes, for injection 40 mg only: Rs 44.39 per pack (as on 30.09.2020). No oral tablet ceiling found in the list we checked. |
| Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) rows | Omeprazole gastro-resistant capsules IP 20 mg (10's) and combination rows. | Pantoprazole gastro-resistant tablets IP 40 mg (10's) and 20 mg, injection 40 mg and combination rows. |
A fact-by-fact table. It does not say which is better.
Key factual differences
Both are proton pump inhibitors, so the main differences lie in the labelled uses, the dose schedules and the Indian listings, not in the type of medicine.
- Label uses differ. The omeprazole label includes ulcers and H. pylori clearing. The pantoprazole label lists erosive esophagitis and hypersecretory conditions.
- Label dose schedules differ, and each is tied to the condition and the duration listed.
- In India omeprazole is listed in Schedule H. We did not find pantoprazole in the Schedule H lists we checked.
- The NLEM 2022 covers omeprazole oral forms, but pantoprazole only as an injection.
- The omeprazole label names clopidogrel, St John's wort and rifampin among its interaction warnings. The pantoprazole label has a different interaction list.
- Jan Aushadhi rows differ: omeprazole 20 mg capsules versus pantoprazole 40 mg and 20 mg tablets.
These are differences in labelling and listing, not a verdict.
Price ceilings and Jan Aushadhi
NPPA lists ceiling prices for scheduled omeprazole capsules and tablets, and for pantoprazole injection. The ceiling is the highest price per unit for a scheduled formulation, as on 30.09.2020 in the list we checked.
Jan Aushadhi lists omeprazole 20 mg capsules and pantoprazole 20 mg and 40 mg tablets. Check the pack, the seller and the current price. We do not show brand prices.
- Omeprazole capsule ceilings: Rs 2.11 (10 mg), Rs 2.49 (20 mg), Rs 4.92 (40 mg) per capsule.
- Pantoprazole injection 40 mg ceiling: Rs 44.39 per pack.
Check the pack and the seller; the ceiling is a maximum, not the usual price.
Who decides, and what to discuss
A doctor or pharmacist chooses between these medicines. What suits a person depends on the condition, other medicines and the pack available. This page does not recommend either.
- Tell your doctor if you take clopidogrel, warfarin, methotrexate, HIV medicines or St John's wort.
- Mention long-term use, bone problems, low magnesium or low vitamin B12.
- Report black stools, trouble swallowing, vomiting blood or weight loss to a doctor promptly, since symptom relief does not rule out serious causes.
- Ask about the expected length of use. Labels describe short courses for most uses.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Your doctor or pharmacist chooses based on your health and other medicines.
Frequently asked questions
Are omeprazole and pantoprazole the same medicine?
Is omeprazole or pantoprazole prescription-only in India?
Which one has a price ceiling in India?
Can I take either with clopidogrel?
Sources
- 1U.S. FDA-approved label (DailyMed) (6ea9a6f3-b756-4cdf-b3db-f666a2c17d66) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 2U.S. FDA-approved label (DailyMed) (a9f32edf-e0b9-4e96-e053-2a95a90afbc8) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 3National List of Essential Medicines 2022 (p93, capsule 10/20/40 mg and powder for oral liquid 20 mg) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 4National List of Essential Medicines 2022 (p94, injection 40 mg) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 5NPPA ceiling prices (scheduled formulations) (All scheduled (NLEM 2015) p14, as on 30.09.2020) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 6NPPA ceiling prices (scheduled formulations) (All scheduled (NLEM 2015) p14, as on 30.09.2020 (injection …) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 7PMBJP (Jan Aushadhi) product list (p8:sno166 (capsules 20 mg), p8:sno165, p46:sno1030, p88:sno…) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 8PMBJP (Jan Aushadhi) product list (p8:sno170 (tablets 40 mg), p8:sno171, p58:sno1281) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 9Drugs Rules 1945, Schedules (2022 consolidation) (Schedule H, serial 367 (rules 65 and 97)) Open source · 2026-10-15
Compiled by software from the sources above and checked by automated rules. Last checked: 2026-10-15 · How we use sources · Report a correction
This information is educational and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. It does not tell you what dose you personally should take. In an emergency call 112.