Acid Reflux & GERD – Comparing The Prescriptions

Omeprazole (Prilosec) and Famotidine (Pepcid), both medicines are prescribed by doctors to manage GERD. Famotidine (Pepcid) works by lowering the amount of acid made by the stomach. Pepcid is an H2 blocker that is used to treat and prevent the recurrence of stomach and duodenal ulcers. The medicine achieves this by blocking the action of histamine, the substance which is involved in many reactions in your body including the production of acid in the stomach. The medicine begins working within an hour, and its effects last for up to 12 hours. Prescription famotidine dosage is available as 20 mg tablet to be taken by mouth twice for up to six weeks.

If you are taking omeprazole to prevent frequent heartburn, then take the medicine 10 minutes to an hour before having the heartburn-triggered food or drink. You can take a 20 mg dose for two weeks, and repeat the course every four months. Let your doctor know if you take over the counter (OTC) omeprazole for more than 14 days. OTC famotidine is available in dosages of 10 mg to 20 mg. Do not take OTC famotidine for more than two weeks without the approval of your healthcare provider. However, it may take a few days before you begin to get the full benefits of the medicine.

Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) which is available on prescription as a delayed-release (DR) capsule and granule packets that are mixed into liquid. IT is also available at OTC DR. Omeprazole (Prilosec) and Famotidine (Pepcid), both medicines are prescribed by doctors to manage GERD. The medicine is approved by FDA for treating acid reflux in adults and children. OTC omeprazole is used to treat frequent heartburn in adults. It works by blocking an enzyme involved in the last step of making stomach acid, and its effects can last up to three days.

Both medicines are effective in treating GERD, famotidine works faster but it might not work as well as your body takes time to get used to the medication. On the other hand, omeprazole provides long-term relief, and targets acid production at the source. Besides medicines, lifestyle changes will also help in controlling the symptoms of acid reflux or GERD, include avoiding foods that cause heartburn, like acidic or fatty foods, and eating smaller meals throughout the day. Side effects of famotidine and omeprazole include headache, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, and gas.

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