Commercial critique assignment

It is available in 30 mg. or 60 mg. in a dual release capsule taken with or without food. The capsule contains two different types of granules; one is released immediately and the other about four to five hours later (About Dexilant, 2010). Prilosec OTC is also advertised on the Internet. The page has a lot of useful health information including a description of how heartburn is caused, how Prilosec OTC works to stop acid production, common foods and lifestyle factors that cause heartburn (heartburn triggers).

The advertisement goes on to list trigger foods and simple tips for making smart choices to fight frequent heartburn, including the right diet and a healthy lifestyle. The ad then discusses the 14-Day Prilosec OTC Regimen: “ Prilosec OTC blocks the burn for 24 hours with one pill a day”. Claims made in the advertisement for Prilosec OTC are that it is a proactive treatment, unlike most reactive heartburn treatments. The ad goes on to state that Prilosec OTC is in the strongest class of heartburn medicines available over the counter.

Before taking Prilosec OTC, tell your physician if you are taking warfarin, prescription antifungal or anti-yeast medicines, diazepam, or digoxin (Heartburn Treatment and Heartburn Relief, 2010). Side effects of Prilosec OTC include headache, diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach, cough, dizziness, rash, cold symptoms. The most common side effects of Dexilant were diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, common cold, vomiting, and gas. Both advertisements had a question and section. The Prilosec OTC ad had a lot of information regarding heartburn and GERD, and information on healthy foods and lifestyle.

The Dexilant ad had links for coupons and a symptom checker. The Prilosec OTC ad also had a safety announcement discussing a possible increased risk of fractures. It states “ On May 25, 2010, the FDA released a drug-class announcement stating that all prescription and over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) product labeling will be revised as a precautionary measure to include a possible increased risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures” (Heartburn Treatment and Heartburn Relief, 2010).