Antacids, H2 blockers and PPIs can all help treat heartburn; which one is best for you depends on your personal requirements.
Antacids such as Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids and Tums provide fast relief from mild to moderate symptoms in 30-60 minutes; use once or as needed.
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Antacids
Antacids are among the safest treatments for acid reflux available, helping prevent heartburn and other symptoms caused by it, while relieving pain and discomfort.
All forms of over-the-counter pain relievers come in chewable tablets or liquid form and should be purchased without a valid valid prescription. When taken occasionally they do not present serious adverse side effects.
Calcium carbonate-based antacids have the power to neutralize acid and alleviate heartburn and stomach troubles, tightening your lower esophageal sphincter so food stays within your stomach rather than moving up into the esophagus.
Contrary to popular belief, calcium-containing antacids may also lead to constipation. If this is an issue for you, speak to your physician and find out other methods for dealing with it.
Antacid medications may interfere with how well other medicines work, so any additional dose should be taken at least an hour or four hours before or after taking an antacid. This step is particularly crucial if you suffer from kidney disease, high blood pressure or heart disease.
Antacids are usually safe to take, however if you suffer from an illness which requires you to limit how much sodium (salt) you ingest – including certain forms of heart disease, kidney failure or liver issues.
Antacids should also be avoided if you have an allergy to aluminum, magnesium, or calcium; which are ingredients often present in commercial antacid products.
Antacids are generally safe, though some individuals may experience serious side effects like diarrhea or constipation. In these instances, discontinuing use will usually help remedy them; or you could switch antacid brands.
Your doctor should recommend an antacid that will provide optimal safety. Do not exceed or add food or alcohol when taking an antacid.
There are various over-the-counter antacids available in the United States, such as TUMS and Pepto Bismol. Each has different side effects that may prove harmful when taken on a consistent basis.
Antacids should only be taken for mild heartburn or indigestion symptoms, or temporarily in cases with more severe symptoms, due to them only treating symptoms and not dealing with their source.
H2 Blockers
H2-blockers are a class of drugs used to treat acid reflux, duodenal and gastric ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), mild to moderate heartburn and indigestion.
H2 receptor blockers bind to histamine type 2 receptors on stomach cells to decrease acid production by these cells and relieve heartburn faster and for a longer duration than traditional antacids. H2 blockers may be more effective at treating GERD than their antacid counterparts due to faster action to relieve heartburn and longer duration of action.
However, they may not work as efficiently as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which decrease the amount of acid produced in your stomach and are commonly prescribed to those suffering from GERD and other digestive issues.
Proton pump inhibitors such as esomeprazole and lansoprazole may cause serious side effects, including diarrhea, flatulence, nausea and headaches. Furthermore, these drugs may interfere with other medications’ efficacy as well.
H2 receptor blockers offer an effective means to relieve the symptoms of GERD and other stomach conditions without creating adverse side effects, as they’re safe to take with various other medicines, including over-the-counter remedies.
Because these medicines bind to histamine receptors on the stomach’s parietal cells, they prevent acid from being released and help reduce symptoms associated with GERD such as heartburn and chest pain.
Doctors may prescribe H2 receptor blockers along with PPIs or antacids as part of a treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It’s essential that all prescribed medication be taken, particularly if you suffer from peptic ulcers.
H2 blockers can often provide effective relief from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other related stomach conditions, helping reduce symptoms while also helping prevent further episodes.
If you are taking an H2 blocker, it is recommended to take one dose with each meal throughout the day and another at bedtime. Most medications will begin working within 30-90 minutes and should last up to 24 hours before becoming effective.
H2 blockers offer many advantages over antacids, and can be an excellent solution to treating frequent or chronic GERD. Plus, H2 blockers tend to be much less costly than PPIs which may become prohibitively costly when refilling prescriptions.
PPIs
PPIs (names that end in “prazole”) are among the most widely prescribed acid reflux medicines and have long been utilized. Though PPIs have provided relief for many sufferers of heartburn and stomach ulcers, there remains some controversy as to their safety.
Long term risks have also been associated with these drugs. These risks include infections, certain conditions and vitamin deficiencies as well as increasing bone fracture risks for wrist, hip and spine fractures.
Researchers maintain that PPIs are safe when taken as prescribed and in appropriate patients, providing another effective option in managing chronic GERD that has not responded to diet or over-the-counter antacids.
One key reason behind the effectiveness of PPIs lies in their ability to block proton pump enzymes which release stomach acid into your small intestine, making healing faster while protecting from further acidity damage. This makes PPIs especially effective against stomach acids’ impactful damage on our intestines.
Constipation, diarrhea and stomach discomfort may occur as a result of taking this medicine, though these side effects are typically mild and only rarely seen.
Another concern related to PPI use is an increased risk of pneumonia. This occurs because large amounts of bacteria may form in the stomach and travel up the esophagus into the windpipe and lungs where they cause pneumonia.
However, there are other effective treatments available for GERD that may help, including antacids and H2 blockers. If heartburn remains an ongoing problem despite these drugs’ administration, consult with your physician on how best to approach its management.
As soon as possible, inform your physician if you have other medical conditions or take other medicines, including antibiotics, blood thinners, anti-seizure medicines and diuretics. As these can alter how your body metabolizes PPIs it’s essential that this discussion occurs between yourself and your healthcare provider.
Prevent taking PPIs while pregnant or breastfeeding as many of these drugs have been associated with birth defects in babies.
Famotidine
Famotidine is an acid reducer commonly prescribed to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This drug is available both as a prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicine and can help treat conditions like GERD, heartburn and erosive esophagitis.
Blocking histamine receptors on parietal cells of the stomach lining blocks acid production more frequently and provides one of the safer means of decreasing stomach acidity production.
People taking famotidine should be wary not to overdose on it and avoid taking it with other medications like cimetidine (Tagamet), nizatidine (Axid) or ranitidine (Zantac).
Famotidine should always be taken orally with either water or food to ensure optimal dosage levels. Dosage adjustments will ensure optimal effectiveness.
Take your dose at the same time each day for optimal results; doing this will ensure the medicine will work effectively and give the best outcomes. For optimal performance, taking it at the same time and place will ensure its effectiveness.
Your healthcare provider will determine the appropriate dosage based on your condition. Most doctors typically start out by prescribing 10-20 mg each day, gradually increasing it as needed; this is particularly important if you experience other symptoms like gas, nausea or a sour taste in your throat.
As your stomach produces more acid in the evening, some healthcare providers suggest taking famotidine at bedtime in order to prevent heartburn or any other digestive problems.
Famotidine may cause headaches, constipation or diarrhea as potential side effects; should any occur it’s important to discontinue use immediately and contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Faximotidine can cause other side effects such as dry mouth, upset stomach or low white blood cell count. If these symptoms continue unchecked they could become serious; you should notify your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Famotidine should never be taken by women who are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant as its effects could pass into breast milk and cause adverse reactions for your unborn baby.
Not recommended for pets who suffer from liver or kidney diseases; for best results, consult your veterinarian about how best to use this medication with your animal companion.