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Key takeaways
Tums is an over-the-counter antacid for immediate heartburn relief.
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that prevents chronic heartburn by lowering stomach acid production.
It is safe to take Tums while on omeprazole, though the two medication doses should be spaced out by at least four hours.
Tums is best for occasional heartburn or indigestion relief, while omeprazole is best for managing chronic GERD or gastrointestinal ulcers.
Talk to a healthcare provider if you find yourself frequently taking both Tums and omeprazole. This is a sign that your condition is not being managed optimally.
Got heartburn? Then you’ve probably taken your share of Tums and Rolaids. If you deal with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you might also take a prescription drug for your condition. These medications work very differently in the body, which might make you wonder: Which is better for fast relief? Is it safe to take both?
Tums is an over-the-counter (OTC), brand-name antacid. Its active ingredient, calcium carbonate, neutralizes gastric acid to relieve heartburn. Tums offers immediate relief but does not last very long and does nothing to prevent future acid reflux.
Omeprazole is a generic prescription proton pump inhibitor (PPI) sold under the brand name Prilosec. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of GERD and erosive esophagitis in adults and children. It is also approved to treat duodenal ulcers and gastric ulcers in adults. Like other PPIs, such as Nexium (esomeprazole) and Prevacid (lansoprazole), omeprazole works by decreasing stomach acid production by blocking the proton pump on the parietal cells. It relieves GERD over the long-term rather than offering immediate symptom relief.
Below, two healthcare providers answer whether you can take Tums and omeprazole together for better results and what to know about the side effects and risks of each.
Can you take Tums and omeprazole together?
Yes, you can take Tums and omeprazole together, but healthcare providers don’t recommend taking them simultaneously.
“You can take Tums while on omeprazole,” says Pratima Dibba, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist with Medical Offices of Manhattan. “There is no medication interaction, and Tums can provide fast-acting relief, while omeprazole may take a few days to work.”
It’s important to understand that these two medications treat acid reflux differently: Omeprazole “stops the stomach from making too much acid,” while antacids “buffer the acid already in your stomach,” explains Michael Sellechio, MD, a family physician with Harbor Health in Austin, Texas. Given that, PPIs should be taken on schedule as directed, while antacids can be taken as needed if symptoms start up after a meal.
What you should know about taking omeprazole and Tums together
Dr. Sellechio recommends waiting four hours between taking omeprazole and Tums. “I would try and avoid taking them too close together to avoid them having too much effect on each other,” he explains. “Take the PPI before breakfast and, if needed, antacids after lunch.”
RELATED: The best diet for acid reflux: 3 foods to eat—and 8 to avoid
Although omeprazole and Tums do not directly interact, one or both could have drug interactions with other prescription medications or supplements an individual takes daily. Be sure to read the labels carefully and talk to your healthcare provider about which active ingredient may be best for you, especially if you are taking other medications or supplements at the same time.
It’s also important to speak to a healthcare provider if you find yourself frequently taking Tums while on omeprazole. That’s a sign that “your symptoms and disease are not controlled,” Dr. Dibba says. “In that case, there could be an underlying issue going on like an ulcer.”
Is Tums or omeprazole better for heartburn?
Currently, there are no comprehensive scientific reviews comparing the effectiveness of Tums versus omeprazole for heartburn. That’s probably because these heartburn medications work very differently. Antacids like Tums are fast-acting but short-lived, making them best for occasional heartburn relief. PPIs like omeprazole offer long-lasting relief and are meant for the management of chronic GERD, but there are risks associated with long-term use.
Consider the frequency of symptoms
“PPIs are better for consistent acid reflux, or GERD,” Dr. Sellechio says. “If you have acid reflux intermittently, like only with spicy foods or one to two times weekly, then antacids are likely best.”
If you have daily acid reflux or gastrointestinal discomfort, it’s essential to seek medical advice from a healthcare provider rather than continue to self-medicate with OTC antacids. Tums tablets are not intended for consistent, long-term use.
Consider how long they take to work
Chewable Tums start working immediately and offer symptom relief in as little as five minutes. However, the effects wear off within 20–60 minutes.
Omeprazole can take hours to days to kick in. How quickly it works can depend on the person and dosage.
Consider side effects
The most common side effects of omeprazole are headache, abdominal pain, and nausea. In clinical trials of omeprazole, nearly 7% of participants experienced headaches as an adverse reaction. In contrast, 2%–5% of omeprazole users reported gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and flatulence.
Tums can also cause side effects, though adverse events are less common because of the small and as-needed dosage. The most common side effect of Tums is constipation. Other common adverse effects of Tums include high calcium levels, low phosphate levels, and gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea or gas.
Consider risks
Prolonged use of both Tums and omeprazole can increase the risk of serious health conditions.
“The research [on PPIs like omeprazole] shows prolonged use may affect bone health and impair thyroid function, especially if you already take medications for your thyroid,” Dr. Sellechio says. Omeprazole may also increase the risk of kidney problems, lupus, and vitamin B12 or magnesium deficiency.
Tums is an OTC medication, but that doesn’t make it risk-free. “Antacids are not necessarily safe to be taken in high doses or frequently due to potential side effects, [including] accumulation of calcium in the blood, which may affect the kidneys and cause constipation,” Dr. Dibba says.
Consider cost
Without insurance, the average retail cost of omeprazole is $203 for 30, 40 mg delayed-release capsules. A SingleCare coupon can reduce the price to about $6 for the same dosage and amount.
In contrast, Tums costs about $9 per bottle of 60 chewable tablets. A SingleCare coupon can decrease the price to less than $3 for 150 chewable tablets. Tums are taken as needed, so the monthly cost depends on the frequency of symptoms.
In most cases, Tums is a cheaper heartburn treatment than omeprazole. However, Tums doesn’t tackle the root of the problem. Anyone experiencing frequent heartburn and indigestion should tell their healthcare provider, as these symptoms could signify an underlying medical condition such as a stomach ulcer.
Omeprazole vs. Tums: Comparison |
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|---|---|---|
| Omeprazole | Tums | |
| Drug class | Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) | Antacid |
| Standard dosage and forms | 20 mg once daily | 2–3 tablets as needed |
| Possible risks | Increased risk of
|
Increased risk of
|
| Side effects |
|
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| Average cost without insurance | $203 for 30, 40 mg delayed-release capsules | $9 per bottle of 60 chewable tablets |
| SingleCare coupon* | Get coupon | Get coupon |
| Learn more* | More omeprazole details | More Tums details |
*Cost at time of publication. Drug prices fluctuate and vary by pharmacy and location.
Bottom line
Consult your healthcare provider before combining any medications, including Tums and omeprazole. It is considered generally safe to take Tums as needed while on omeprazole, but if you do, Dr. Sellecho advises waiting four hours after you take omeprazole before taking Tums.
“When you find yourself taking OTC antacids daily or several times in a day, you should discuss your symptoms with a physician to see if you may require additional testing or a more suitable medication,” Dr. Dibba says.
Sources
- Prilosec (omeprazole) tablets, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP (2012)
- Proton pump inhibitors, Cleveland Clinic (2023)
- Antacids revisited: review on contemporary facts and relevance for self-management, Journal of International Medical Research (2022)
- Omeprazole capsule, DailyMed (2011)
- Taking antacids, MedlinePlus (2022)
- Calcium carbonate, StatPearls (2023)
- Proton pump inhibitors and bone health: An update narrative review, International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2022)
- The impact of proton pump inhibitors on levothyroxine absorption: The good, the bad and the ugly, European Federation of Internal Medicine (2020)