H2 Blocker Drugs for GERD
Another class of medications used for treating
GERD is called histamine receptor antagonists, or
H2 blockers. These lower the level of acid produced by your stomach. In general, these drugs are safely used by many people with GERD to control their symptoms. Examples of this type of GERD medication include:
These drugs are available over-the-counter (not requiring a prescription) or in prescription strength. They provide short-term relief, but over-the-counter H2 blockers should not be used for more than a few weeks at a time. They are effective for about half of those who have GERD symptoms. Many people benefit from taking H2 blockers at bedtime in combination with a proton-pump inhibitor.
Another class of GERD medication is proton-pump inhibitors, or PPIs. These drugs reduce the amount of acid that your stomach releases. PPIs are effective at both relieving
heartburn symptoms and healing the damage that GERD does to the esophagus. They are often recommended for people who already have moderate to serious damage to the lining of their esophagus or for those whose symptoms are not relieved by H2 blockers.
Examples of proton-pump inhibitors that are available by prescription include:
Prilosec® (
omeprazole) is another proton-pump inhibitor that is available with or without a prescription. Prilosec is an alteration of the chemical structure of Nexium.
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