These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
Heartburn
Question: Should I use a prescription ulcer medication to treat my heartburn, or are there other safer options?
Answer: There are several types of prescription drugs available to treat ulcers. These include H2 Antagonists, drugs like Tagamet, Pepcid and Zantac, proton pump inhibitors, drugs like Prilosec and Prevacid, and coating agents like Carafate. The H2 antagonists have been available for about 20 years. Consequently, there is a long record of problems and advantages. These drugs are so well tolerated that they are now basically available without a prescription. Carafate is a unique drug in that it is not absorbed. Systemic side effects appear to be negligible. The newer agents like Prilosec and Prevacid have a less lengthy record. They appear to be more effective than H2 blockers in healing ulcers, but their long term side effect profile is not known. I would recommend H2 blockers without reservation.
