What is the difference between prilosec and zantec?

Prilosec - Zantac (ranitidine): Prilosec is a drug in the class called proton pump inhibitors. Drugs in this class shut down the production of stomach acid. Zantac, pepcid, and tagamet are in the drug class called histamine-2 receptor blockers. These drugs block the effect of histamine on receptors in the stomach which produce acid. Prilosec is much more potent than zantac (ranitidine) but zantac (ranitidine) has a faster onset of action.