Heartburn Medicines
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Heartburn Medicines
Heartburn relief
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Ingredients |
Description |
Onset |
Duration |
Pros |
Cons |
FYI |
User Votes |
Manufacturer |
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Antacids
|
Carbonates (Sodium, calcium, aluminum) Hydroxides (Aluminum, magnesium) |
They neutralize stomach acid Temporary relief of heartburn |
5 to 10 mins. Depending on severity. |
Average 3 hours if taken with food. 30 to 60 minutes if taken on an empty stomach. |
Immediate relief. Can be taken with other heartburn medications |
Drug interactions. May decrease or increase the levels of certain drugs if taken together Only neutralizes acid. Does not stop its production. Some contain sodium. Use with caution if you have to limit sodium intake. Some can cause diarrhea or constipation. |
Use antacids for immediate relief of heartburn. It does not stop acid production and heartburn will continue if not treated. Take with food or snack to make it last longer. |
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Tums® , Mylanta® , Maalox® , Gelusil® , Gaviscon® |
H2 Blockers
|
Cimetidine Ranitidine Famotidine |
Indirectly reduce stomach acid by preventing acid pump activation. |
60 to 90 minutes depending on severity. But expect symptoms to improve in 24 hours. |
Up to 12 hour relief or prevention per dose |
Reduces acid production. Use in combination with antacids in some cases. |
Symptom relief may take up to 24 hours. Better to take with antacids initially to neutralize stomach acid already present while this work to reduce its production. Most common side effect is headache. |
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Cimetidine (Tagamet®), Ranitidine (Zantac®), Famotidine (Pepcid AC®), Nizatidine (Axid AR®) |
Proton Pump Inhibitors
|
Omeprazole Lansoprazole Esomeprazole |
They block acid production at the source by deactivating acid pumps in the stomach |
2 to 4 days for complete relief if first time use. Otherwise 2 to 3 hours. |
24-hour relief of frequent heartburn with a daily dose. But effect can last up to 3 days after taking it. |
Stronger at preventing acid production than H2 blockers.
|
Increased risk of getting severe diarrhea. Must call doctor if it does not go away in a reasonable amount of time. Taking it daily for a long period of time, a year or longer may increase your risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, spine. Do not take if you have low magnesium blood level. |
Take 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast for maximum benefit. |
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Omeprazole (Prilosec® OTC, Store brands), Lansoprazole (Prevacid 24HR®, Store brands), Esomeprazole (Nexium 24HR® , Store brands) |
Combinations
|
Antacid + Gas Relief Antacid + H2 Blocker Antacid + PPI Antacid + Pain Relievers
|
Advantage of combination use is for the antacid to neutralize acid already present in the stomach for immediate relief, while the H2 or PPI prevents further acid production. |
20 to 30 mins. |
Depends on combination. |
Combination of immediate relief with stomach acid reduction. |
For antacid + H2 blocker combination, you cannot use more than 2 chewable tablets in 24 hours. But guess what? The antacid part only last for 4 hours. You may be tempted to chew more tablets for adequate relief. Better to buy them separate. You can then chew antacids as often as you want to keep the stomach acid down while the H2 blocker work in the background to reduce acid production. |
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Heartburn relief
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Ingredients |
Description |
Onset |
Duration |
Pros |
Cons |
FYI |
User Votes |
Avg. Cost |
Manufacturer |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gaviscon®
|
Liquid Regular Strength Extra Strength Tablets Regular Extra Strength All contain "alginate". |
All formulations contain "alginate". Alginic acid + bicarbonate = foam barrier or "raft" that floats on the stomach acid. If acid reflux occurs, this raft foam barrier is the first to contact the esophageal wall, protecting against the stomach acid. |
The gel and raft formation is pretty fast. Expect to start feeling relief in about 5 mins. Depending on how bad the symptoms. |
About 6 to 8 hours. Longer than the average antacid. |
Unique action provide immediate relief, faster than traditional antacid, and longer duration, again longer than traditional antacids. Can eliminate or displace acid pockets in the stomach. (Kwiatek, MA et al) |
Chewable tablets foams in the mouth while chewing. Some people may find this uncomfortable and need getting used to. |
Good choice if you can get past the foaming action of the chewable tablet in the mouth. Be sure to drink a full glass of water after. Liquid may be a better choice if you don't need to carry it around. Combine with H2 or PPI for maximum effect. Stay with the brand if cost is not a factor for taste and also the strength of the raft or foaming action depends on the type and quality of alginate used. |
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Tums®
|
Regular Strength Extra Strength Ultra Strength Smoothies Chewy Delights Chewy Bites® Chewy Bites® with Gas Relief |
Antacid for the relief of stomach acid and indigestion. Daily source of extra calcium. |
10 minutes. Depending on severity. |
Average 4 hours. |
Taste. But depends on the type. Smoothies taste different than chewy delights and so on. Can be taken by children as young as 2 years old. Good for an extra source of calcium (300 mg per tablet in children's tums. A 38% % Daily Value). Good source of calcium also for adults. |
Possible acid rebound effect as the acid neutralizing effect wears off. It can stimulate the release of gastrin which is responsible for the secretion of acid in the stomach. This effect occurs with antacids containing calcium carbonate, but more pronounced with Tums since it is just calcium carbonate. |
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Alka - Seltzer®
|
Effervescent Tabs Original Extra Strength Lemon-Lime Heartburn Gold ReliefChews® Extra Strength Ultra Strength Heartburn+Gas Gummies |
Depending on ingredients: |
5 to 20 minutes depending on symptoms |
Average 3 to 4 hours |
Effervescent delivery method provides liquid medication without the syrupy or suspension feel and thickness. A fast method of relieving headache with stomach ache. |
Choose wisely. Some preparations contain aspirin. |
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Rolaids®
|
REGULAR TABLETS EXTRA STRENGTH TABS. ULTRA STRENGTH TABS ADVANCED TABS |
Relieves heartburn, sour stomach, acid indigestion. |
10 to 20 minutes depending on severity |
3 to 4 hours |
Good relief with the "Ultra Strength" if taken with food. Significant source of calcium and magnesium. |
Don't expect it to taste like Rolaids of old. This is much sweeter, harder to chew and granular. |
Significant source of calcium and magnesium. |
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Gelusil®
|
Tablets |
Relieves heartburn, sour stomach, acid indigestion, bloating, pressure and discomfort commonly referred to as gas. |
Average 10 to 20 minutes |
3 to 4 hours |
Simethicone helps with bloating and indigestion. Taste and packaging is desirable. |
Cost. Availability in local stores. |
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Mylanta®
|
Tonight Maximum Strength |
For Heartburn, Acid indigestion, Sour stomach, Upset stomach due to these symptoms, Pressure and bloating commonly referred to as gas, Overindulgence in food and drink |
10 to 20 minutes |
3 to 4 hours |
Combination with simethicone, an antigas, is useful for bloating and painful gas pockets in the stomach. Vanilla caramel flavor taste good. |
No tablet formulation, so difficult to take with you. Mini is just for gas relief. |
Know that the Maximum strength contain aluminum hydroxide and Tonight contain calcium carbonate. A good brand name equivalent to Mylanta is Gelusil. |
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Maalox®
|
Chewable Regular Strength Advanced Maximum Strength Liquid Regular Strength Advanced Maximum Strength Total Relief |
For the relief of Heartburn, Acid indigestion, Sour stomach, Upset stomach associated with these symptoms, Pressure and bloating commonly referred to as gas. |
10 to 20 minutes |
3 to 4 hours |
Preparations with simethicone is useful for bloating and painful gas pockets in the stomach that may accompany some cases of heartburn and indigestion. |
Constipation may occur at maximum dose. Warning: Maalox Total Relief contains Bismuth Subsalicylate. Children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chicken pox or flu-like symptoms should not use this product. |
Warning: Maalox Total Relief contains Bismuth Subsalicylate. Children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chicken pox or flu-like symptoms should not use this product. |
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Heartburn relief
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Description |
Onset |
Duration |
Pros |
Cons |
FYI |
User Votes |
Avg. Cost |
Brand Names |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ranitidine
|
H2 blocker used to treat ulcers, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), and conditions where the stomach produces too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. To prevent and treat symptoms of heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach. |
About 60 mins. |
Up to 12 hours |
Fastest acting in class. |
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Effect correlates with the dose. 150mg is more effective than 75 mg tabs. We recommend 150 mg dose compared to 75 mg. |
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Zantac® |
Famotidine
|
Called H2 blocker - works by decreasing the amount of acid made in the stomach. Can be used + diphenhydramine for skin (hives) and gastrointestinal symptoms caused by an allergic reaction. |
About 90 mins. |
Up to 18 hrs |
Pepcid complete has dual action. Famotidine is prefered if you need to prevent stomach irritation from medications like ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin (NSAIDS). Used with diphenhydramine to treat or prevent hives caused by allergic reactions. |
Not as fast acting as ranitidine. |
Get the pepcid® complete. The antacid also promote delivery of the drug locally into the stomach walls for a better effect. Moreover, it is poorly soluble in stomach acid Famotidine is prefered should you need to prevent stomach irritation from medications like ibuprofen or aspirin. |
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Retail Pharmacy Price: Buy Amazon |
Pepcid® AC, Pepcid® Complete (with antacids) |
Cimetidine
|
Used to treat stomach ulcers, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), and conditions where the stomach produces too much acid (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). Used to prevent and treat symptoms of heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach. Used to treat wart in some cases. |
About 60 mins. |
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Causes the most drug interactions in class. Less effective in class. |
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Tagamet® |
Omeprazole
|
Used to treat frequent heartburn (heartburn that occurs at least 2 or more days a week). Proton-pump inhibitor - works by decreasing the amount of acid made in the stomach. The active metabolite binds to the proton-pump and inhibits it. |
May take 1 to 4 days for full effect if starting out. |
24 hours. But effect can continue up to 3 to 5 days. |
Cheapest in class. |
Wildberry flavor may not be for you. |
Will not advice the wildberry flavor. Advantage goes to Zegerid OTC® It contains sodium bicarbonate which protects the omeprazole from the stomach acid for quick absorption. |
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Prislosec OTC®, Zegerid® OTC (Omeprazole + sodium bicarbonate) |
Esomeprazole
|
Treats frequent heartburn (occurs 2 or more days per week). A proton pump inhibitor. It works by decreasing the amount of acid made in the stomach. |
Within 3 hours, but may take up to 4 days for full effect if just starting out. |
Up to 24 hrs. But effect can continue up to 3 to 5 days. |
A little bit better than prilosec. Price is competitive. |
May cause diarrhea. If it does not go away in a reasonable time, you must call the doctor. |
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Nexium 24HR® |
Lansoprazole
|
Treats frequent heartburn (occurs 2 or more days a week) Proton pump inhibitors - It works by decreasing the amount of acid made in the stomach. |
May take 1 to 4 days for full effect. |
24 hours |
Slightly more effective than omeprazole. |
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If one type of proton pump inhibitor is no longer working for you, try a different type. |
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Prevacid® 24HR |
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