These medicines can be prescribed by your healthcare provider or purchased over the counter (OTC).

Read on for more details.

Medications in this class include the following:

Which Is More Effective?

Prilosec OTC is pictured in a Cambridge, Massachusetts Pharmacy

Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty Images

H2 blockers are less effective at treating reflux symptoms than PPIs.

How Long Do They Take to Work?

H2 blockers start working faster than PPIs, typically within one to three hours.

Femi Aremu, PharmD

In contrast, it may take up to four days to see the effects of PPIs.

The effects of PPIs last longer than those of H2 blockers.

PPIs block stomach acid 15 to 21 hours a day versus about eight hours for H2 blockers.

Indications and Usage

PPIs are recommended for most cases ofacid reflux.

Some precautions for certain groups are also important to note.

Be sure to discuss the risks and benefits of prolonged PPI therapy with your healthcare provider for optimal safety.

NDMA is thought to be a carcinogen (cancer-causing agent).

Keep in mind that the product Zantac 360 that’s currently available contains famotidine, not ranitidine.

Remember that the FDA doesn’t approve supplements before products are marketed like they do for prescription medications.

This means they don’t have to be proven safe or effective.

Clarrett DM, Hachem C.Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Mo Med.

2018;115(3):214-218.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Histamine bang out-2 receptor antagonists (H2 blockers).

In:LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury.

Bethesda (MD): January 25, 2018.

Strand DS, Kim D, Peura DA.25 years of proton pump inhibitors: a comprehensive review.Gut Liver.

2022;34(4):402-408.

Published 2022 May 16. doi:10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_323_21

Vordenberg SE.Nonprescription heartburn medications for adults.JAMA.

2022;101(35):e30487.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000030487

Leung AK, Hon KL.Gastroesophageal reflux in children: an updated review.Drugs Context.

Published 2019 Jun 17. doi:10.7573/dic.212591

American College of Gastroenterology.Acid reflux/GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Prilosec (omeprazole) prescribing information.

Lehault WB, Hughes DM.Review of the long-term effects of proton pump inhibitors.Fed Pract.

2017;34(2):19-23.

2023;101(18):e1771-e1778.

doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000207747

Koyyada A.Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors as a risk factor for various adverse manifestations.Therapie.

NDMA presence continues to confound.Clin Transl Sci.

2022;14(3):672.

Published 2022 Feb 5. doi:10.3390/nu14030672