what are some brands of h2 blockers

Full Answer

What is the best H2 blocker?

Types of H2 blockers

• Cimetidine. Cimetidine (Tagamet) comes in prescription, over-the-counter, injectable, and intravenous forms. ...
• Ranitidine hydrochloride. Ranitidine hydrochloride (Zantac) also comes in several forms, including prescription and nonprescription oral doses and an injectable solution.
• Nizatidine. ...
• Famotidine. ...

What are the names of H2 blockers?

• Famotidine (Pepcid AC, Pepcid Oral)
• Cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB)
• Ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75, Zantac Efferdose, Zantac injection, and Zantac Syrup)
• Nizatidine Capsules (Axid AR, Axid Capsules, Nizatidine Capsules)

What to know about H2 blockers?

Taking Your H2 Blockers

• These medicines are most often taken with the first meal of the day. In some cases, you may also take them before your evening meal.
• It takes 30 to 90 minutes for the medicines to work. The benefits will last several hours. People often take the drugs at bedtime, as well.
• Symptoms may improve for up to 24 hours after taking the drug.

How do H2 blockers work to help acid reflux?

• Your stomach produces hydrochloric acid in response to histamine.
• H2 antagonists block the histamine from the H2 receptors in your stomach.
• The result is your stomach produces less acid for several hours.

What is the best H2 blocker?

Famotidine is the most potent, selective H2-receptor antagonist yet available for ulcer therapy. On a weight basis, famotidine is approximately eight times more potent than ranitidine and 40 times more potent than cimetidine.

What brands are H2 blockers?

List of H2 antagonists:Drug NameAvg. RatingReviewsZantac (Pro) Generic name: ranitidine7.882 reviewsPepcid (Pro) Generic name: famotidine6.59 reviewsPepcid AC Chewable Tablets Generic name: famotidine9.53 reviewsAxid AR (Pro) Generic name: nizatidine103 reviews30 more rows

What drugs are typically used as H2 blockers?

H2 blockers are a group of medicines that reduce the amount of acid produced by the cells in the lining of the stomach. They are also called 'histamine H2-receptor antagonists' but are commonly called H2 blockers. They include cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine and ranitidine, and have various different brand names.

Are there any H2 blockers still on the market?

These medications are available over the counter and by prescription. Common H2 receptor blockers include: nizatidine (Axid) famotidine (Pepcid, Pepcid AC)

Is Tums an H2 blocker?

Two of the most common ways of relieving heartburn and acid reflux are antacids and H2 acid blockers. Antacids like TUMS relieve occasional heartburn by neutralizing the acid content in the stomach and esophagus — they are fast acting and can be taken as needed.

Is Zyrtec an H1 or H2 blocker?

Cetirizine (Zyrtec) Cetirizine selectively inhibits peripheral histamine H1-receptors and is minimally sedating.

Is Pepto Bismol an H2 blocker?

Antacids: Over-the-counter medications that neutralize excess stomach acid, e.g Rolaids, Tums, Pepto-Bismol. H2 blockers*: Drugs that reduce stomach acid by blocking histamines that produce it, e.g. Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac.

Is Prilosec an H2 blocker?

H2 blockers: cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), and ranitidine (Zantac) PPIs: esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix) and rabeprazole (AcipHex).

Is Pepcid an H2 blocker?

PEPCID® IS THE ORIGINAL BRAND WITH THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT FAMOTIDINE WHICH IS A HISTAMINE-2 BLOCKER (H2 BLOCKER) THAT PROVIDES RELIEF FOR OCCASIONAL HEARTBURN.

Which is better Tagamet or Pepcid?

Tagamet (cimetidine) works well for heartburn, but may have more side effects than other medicines like it. Relieves heartburn. Pepcid (Famotidine) works well for heartburn but may not last as long or start working as quickly as other antacids.

What is the safest acid reflux medicine for long term use?

Proton pump inhibitors are accepted as the most effective initial and maintenance treatment for GERD. Oral pantoprazole is a safe, well tolerated and effective initial and maintenance treatment for patients with nonerosive GERD or erosive esophagitis.

What are some OTC H2 blockers?

Common OTC H2-blockers include:Tagamet HB (cimetidine)Pepcid Complete or Pepcid AC (famotidine)Axid AR (nizatidine)

When did H2 blockers become popular?

In the 1980s , H2 blockers were the treatment of choice for many acid-related stomach conditions. Doctors may now recommend other treatments. Keep reading to learn more about the types of H2 blockers, their various uses, and some possible side effects.

What is the difference between H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors?

H2 blockers vs. proton pump inhibitors. Proton pump inhibitors block the gastric proton pumps in certain stomach cells. This significantly reduces the amount of acid that the stomach can make. Some popular brands of this type of drug include Prilosec and Prevacid. Proton pump inhibitors can be highly effective, ...

What is the H2 receptor antagonist?

. H2 blockers are sometimes called H2 receptor antagonists, or H2RAs. They reduce the amount of acid that the stomach produces.

How long does H2 blocker last?

of taking the medication, and the effects can last 4–10 hours. gastric hypersecretory diseases, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Is proton pump inhibitor better than H2 blocker?

Proton pump inhibitors can be highly effective, and they may be more effective at managing GERD than H2 blockers. However, as with H2 blockers, a small number of people who take proton pump inhibitors experience side effects such as dizziness and headaches.

Can H2 blockers be taken while pregnant?

General side effects. All four drugs pass into breastmilk, and researchers have yet to determine whether H2 blockers are safe for pregnant or nursing women to take. A doctor can provide more specific guidance. H2 blockers can interact with other drugs.

Can H2 blockers cause GERD?

A person may take H2 blockers to treat heartburn, GERD, or gastric ulcers. A chemical called histamine stimulates cells in the stomach lining to make hydrochloric acid. Too much of this acid can cause GERD and other painful conditions.

What is H2 blocker used for?

H2 blockers are used to: Relieve symptoms of acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD). This is a condition where food or liquid moves up from the stomach into the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach). Treat a peptic or stomach ulcer.

How to take H2 blockers?

H2 blockers are most often taken by mouth. You can get them in the form of tablets, liquids, or capsules. These medicines are most often taken with the first meal of the day. In some cases, you may also take them before your evening meal.

How long does it take for H2 blockers to work?

It takes 30 to 90 minutes for the medicines to work. The benefits will last several hours. People often take the drugs at bedtime, as well. Symptoms may improve for up to 24 hours after taking the drug. H2 blockers may be bought in lower doses at the store without a prescription.

Can you buy H2 blockers without a prescription?

H2 blockers may be bought in lower doses at the store without a prescription. If you find yourself taking these most days for 2 weeks or more for acid reflux symptoms, make sure you see your health care provider about your symptoms.

What is H2 blocker?

Histamine H2-receptor antagonists , also known as H2-blockers, are used to treat duodenal ulcers and prevent their return. They are also used to treat gastric ulcers and for some conditions, such as Zollinger-Ellison disease, in which the stomach produces too much acid.

How does H2 blocker work?

H2-blockers work by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach. H2-blockers are available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor's prescription. Limited testing has found unacceptable levels of a probable human carcinogen, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), in some ranitidine medicines.

Where can I buy H2 blockers?

You can buy some of these medicines over the counter at pharmacies. They are commonly marketed as medicines for 'relief of heartburn, indigestion, acid indigestion and excess stomach acid' - or similar. However, if you need to use an H2 blocker regularly for more than two weeks, you should consult your doctor.

What is H2 blocker?

H2 blockers are a group of medicines that reduce the amount of acid produced by the cells in the lining of the stomach. They are also called 'histamine H2-receptor antagonists' but are commonly called H2 blockers. They include cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine and ranitidine, and have various different brand names.

What is the name of the disease that causes heartburn?

To reduce acid reflux which may cause heartburn or inflammation of the gullet (oesophagitis). These conditions are sometimes called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). To treat ulcers in the stomach and in part of the gut (the duodenum).

How does H2 blocker work?

What H2 blockers do is stop the acid-making cells in the stomach lining from responding to histamine. This reduces the amount of acid produced by your stomach. By decreasing the amount of acid, H2 blockers can help to reduce acid reflux-related symptoms such as heartburn. This can also help to heal ulcers found in the stomach or in part ...

Which is better, omeprazole or proton pump inhibitor?

They include omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, and esomeprazole. In general, proton pump inhibitors are used first because they are better than H2 blockers at reducing stomach acid. However, if you don't get on with a proton pump inhibitor (for example, because of side-effects), your doctor may prescribe an H2 blocker.

Can you take H2 blockers while pregnant?

H2 blockers may not be suitable for people with kidney problems or for pregnant or breastfeeding mums. A full list of people who should not take H2 blockers is included with the information leaflet that comes in the medicine packet.

Can H2 blocker be used for ulcers?

This can also help to heal ulcers found in the stomach or in part of the gut (the duodenum). Note: H2 blockers are a different class of drugs to 'antihistamine drugs' which block H1 receptors in cells that are involved in allergy reactions.

Mechanism of Action

H2 receptor blockers bind to the histamine type 2 receptor in the stomach. This reduces the amount of acid that your stomach lining secretes.

Side Effects

Most of the side effects linked to H2 receptor blockers are usually mild and subside as the patient takes the medication over time. About 1.5 percent of patients stop taking H2 blockers due to their side effects.

Which one is safer?

Before the introduction of PPIs, the preferred choice of treatment for GERD was H2 blockers.

The Takeaway

H2 receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors are both used to reduce stomach acid and relieve the symptoms of acid reflux or GERD. Although side effects are less common with PPIs, they tend to be more serious when they occur.