List of common antacid drugs

1. Generic Name: OMEPRAZOLE/SODIUM BICARBONATE - ORAL

This medication is a combination of omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate. It is used to treat certain stomach and esophagus problems (such as acid reflux, ulcers). It is also used to prevent stomach bleeding in very ill patients. MOA: Omeprazole works by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach makes. It belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid that reduces stomach acid and helps omeprazole to work better. This medication relieves symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and persistent cough. It helps heal acid damage to the stomach and esophagus, helps prevent ulcers, and may help prevent cancer of the esophagus.

2. Generic Name cimetidine famotidine nizatidine ranitidine

Brand Name Tagamet Pepcid Axid Zantac

H2 blockers (also sometimes referred to as acid reducers or H2 receptor antagonists) are available in nonprescription and prescription forms. Prescription forms are stronger than the nonprescription forms. H2 blockers are usually taken by mouth, although some can also be given as an injection. Two doses (morning and evening) are generally recommended to control both daytime and nighttime symptoms. Doctors sometimes recommend a single dose, taken at bedtime, for people who have difficulty remembering to take their medicines. How It Works H2 blockers reduce the production of stomach acid. This makes the stomach juicesless acidic so that any stomach juice that gets into the esophagus is less irritating. This relieves symptoms and allows the esophagus to heal.

Mechanism of action: Cimetidine competitively inhibits the action of histamine at the histamine H2-receptors of the parietal cells and thus is a histamine H2-receptor antagonist. Cimetidine is not an anticholinergic agent. Studies have shown that cimetidine inhibits both daytime and nocturnal basal gastric acid secretion. Cimetidine also inhibits gastric acid secretion stimulated by food, histamine, pentagastrin, caffeine and insulin.
Mechanism of Action
Famotidine is an H2 (histamine)-receptor antagonist, also known as an H2-blocker. Histamine is a chemical in some cells of the body that causes production of acid in the stomach. H2-blockers inhibit histamine action, and therefore reduce gastric secretion or the amount of acid produced. Magnesium hydroxide and calcium carbonate are both antacids that function by neutralizing excess gastric acid.

Nizatidine Mechanism of Action Competitive inhibition of histamine at H2-receptors of the gastric parietal cells resulting in reduced gastric acid secretion, gastric volume and hydrogen ion concentration reduced. In healthy volunteers, nizatidine suppresses gastric acid secretion induced by pentagastrin infusion or food.

3.

Antacids for Heartburn Antacids neutralize stomach acid to help relieve heartburn, sour stomach, acid indigestion, and stomach upset. They are also occasionally recommended to help relieve thepain of ulcers. Some antacids also containsimethicone, an ingredient that helps eliminate excess gas. Some antacids contain ingredients that can cause diarrhea, such asmagnesium, or constipation, such as aluminum. Examples of antacids include: Alka-Seltzer Alka-2, Surpass Gum, Titralac, Tums Milk of Magnesia Alternagel, Amphojel Gaviscon, Gelusil, Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids Pepto-Bismol There are two types of drugs that work to reduce the production of acid in the stomach: histamine antagonists (H2 antagonists or H2 blockers) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Examples of H2 blockers available over the counter include: Axid AR Pepcid AC Tagamet HB Zantac 75

The FDA has approved the proton pump inhibitors Prevacid 24HR, Prilosec OTC, and Zegerid OTC for over-the-counter use to treat frequent heartburn (two or more times per week) for 14 days. All of these drugs are also available as prescriptions. Take these drugs according to the directions on the package or as advised by your doctor.