Study Finds Unexpected Results in Acid Suppression Between Two OTC Heartburn Treatments

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- January 10, 2007 -- In a new study, researchers have directly compared the early therapeutic response of drugs from widely-used classes of heartburn medications, omeprazole magnesium, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and famotidine, a histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RAs), in an over-the-counter (OTC) setting.

In contrast to general consensus, suggesting first day superiority of H2RAs, the results show similar acid suppression on the first day of dosing between these drugs as reported today in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.

Researchers also report evidence that with daily use, the body develops a rapid onset of tolerance to even a low dose H2RAs such as Pepcid AC®.

The findings may help physicians and consumers make better choices about which therapy to use when treating heartburn, which is caused by stomach acid flowing up into the esophagus, a condition that affects more than 50 million Americans annually.

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