Which medication is believed by experts to be more effective for heartburn and acid reflux: prilosec otc bid or protonix (pantoprazole) 40 mg bid?

Dose dependency: The class of drugs known as ppi's (proton pump inhibitors) has expanded considerably since Prilosec became available in 1989, & now includes: prilosec, prevacid, aciphex, protonix, zegerid, dexilant, (dexlansoprazole) nexium, as well as generic equivalents. All of these, with minor variation, block acid production at the proton-pump cellular level. Drug half-life & dose roughly determine duration & efficacy.