On call: What is best for occasional heartburn?
I have heartburn a few times a month. My doctor suggested I use a generic H2 blocker like famotidine or ranitidine. Is this better than an antacid?H2 blockers cause the stomach to produce less acid. Antacids, in contrast, lower the acidity of the stomach contents. (Antacids typically contain calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, or sodium bicarbonate.) Reducing the overall acidity protects the esophagus from burning or irritation when the stomach contents back up or "reflux."
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