Pepcid
It is the brand name of a drug called famotidine, a histamine-2 blocker that works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces. It was originally approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1986.
Uses
It is typically used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter), duodenal and stomach ulcers, and conditions where too much stomach acid is secreted, like – Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or acid reflux.
Dosage
To prevent heartburn, the usual recommended dose is 1 tablet, taken by mouth with a glass of water 15-60 minutes before the main meal.
Note – do not use more than 2 tablets in 24 hours unless directed by your healthcare professional.
Side Effects And Precautions Of Famotidine
Common side effects may include:
- dizziness;
- headaches;
- diarrhea;
- constipation.
Rare side effects may include:
- facial swelling;
- liver enzyme abnormalities;
- jaundice;
- heart rhythm problems.
Drug Interactions
This medication may negatively interact with other drugs, including:
- pain relievers, like – Naproxen (Aleve);
- muscle relaxants, such as – Tizanidine (Zanaflex);
- HIV/AIDS medications, such as – Atazanavir (Reyataz).
Zantac
It is the brand name of a drug called ranitidine that belongs to a group of medications called histamine-2 blockers. It works by reducing the amount of acid the stomach produces.
Update – You can no longer buy ranitidine products in the US. Sanofi reformulated an over-the-counter version of Zantac 360 made with famotidine.
Uses
Zantac 360 (famotidine) is an acid reducer used to relieve heartburn associated with acid sour stomach and indigestion.
Side Effects
Headache, constipation, or diarrhea may occur.
Pepcid vs Zantac – Which Heartburn Medicine Is Better During Pregnancy?
Heartburn is very common but a very unpleasant condition. It is triggered when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus (a muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach). About 14–20 percent of all American adults experience acid reflux in some form or another.
Heartburn during pregnancy is also very common due to the high levels of progesterone and estrogen, leading to the lower esophageal sphincter weakening.
Both these medications can be effective in reducing heartburn, however, they don’t treat the condition, plus, they come with plenty of side effects.
6 Home Remedies For Heartburn
#1 Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV is an acid with a pH of around 5. Hence, it helps with heartburn by lowering the pH of the stomach contents to improve digestion as well as to reduce the pressure build-up.
#2 Don’t Drink Too Much Coffee
It is better to reduce your caffeine intake (even better – completely avoid all sources of caffeine, especially during pregnancy) since caffeine temporarily weakens the lower esophageal sphincter, which may increase the risk of acid reflux.
More importantly, when you intake caffeine, it crosses the placenta into the amniotic fluid (this fluid serves as a cushion for the growing fetus) and your baby’s bloodstream. While an adult body can easily get rid of the caffeine, the baby’s body can’t handle caffeine very well.
Furthermore, avoid any source of caffeine if you are breastfeeding since caffeine can easily pass into breast milk and may negatively affect your baby.
#3 Lemon Juice
Taking lemon juice can help with this condition since this fruit can activate pepsin, the stomach enzyme which breaks down proteins. In addition, the citrus fruit can help to protect your body against cell damage and to lower your blood pressure. Moreover, lemons may help in weight loss, which may also help reduce the symptoms of heartburn.
To use it, you can drink 2 tbs of fresh lemon juice squeezed into a half glass of water after a meal.
#4 Eat Smaller Portions
When your body senses that you have eaten a large amount of food at once, stomach acid production is turned up in order to facilitate digestion. Hence, by eating less food at once, you can reduce the symptoms of heartburn since your body produces less stomach acid.
#5 Fennel
Fennel has a long history of medicinal use and as a flavoring food as well. According to studies, many people have confirmed the positive effects of drinking fennel tea in order to reduce the symptoms of heartburn. You can also chew a few fennel seeds after a meal to help digestion.
#6 Ginger
Ginger can reduce inflammation. This may relieve symptoms of acid reflux. In addition, it can reduce the likelihood of stomach acid flowing up into the esophagus. However, if you take too much, you may make your symptoms worse. 5g per day is sufficient.
#7 Nutrition
A study which was conducted at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston has concluded that high fiber diets help individuals fight heartburn. Also, dietary fiber causes the human body to draw fluid from digested food, which contributes bulk to meals, increasing satiety levels.
Good sources of fiber include – red kidney beans, chia seeds, black beans, sunflower seeds, broccoli, flax seeds, lentils, chickpeas, walnuts, almonds, tomatoes, radishes, apples, pears, mangoes, papayas, pineapples, hazelnuts, cabbage, zucchini, oat bran, beets, oatmeal, quinoa, wild rice, or ginger.
Image credit – Shutterstock
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