my acid reducer isn't working!

HEARTONMYSLEEVE · April 17, 2010

My doctor did prescribe an acid reducer. It is over the counter pepcid 20mg. I have been taking it everyday. I haven't skipped once but I am still getting reflux. It hasn't been unbearable until last night. My stomach started gurgling and my throat started burning. It was awful. It lasted for about an hour. I ended up taking another pepcid that night. He said to take one a day but I needed the acid to go down and I didn't know if we could have tums or rolaids so I took it. I think I want to switch antacids. I don't think the pepcid is working for me. Did pepcid work for anyone else? What over the counter option would be better? Any ideas are welcome I don't want to go through this again. Thanks

Tiffykins · April 17, 2010

Prilosec or Prevacid should help tremendously. It may take a up to 7-10 days for the Prilosec to kick in. I've never taken Prevacid so I don't know if it takes time to kick in or not.

OTC Pepcid is not a true proton pump inhibitor, it's a histamine H2-receptor antagonist. It won't stop the over production of acid, it'll only help control the symptoms. It's mainly prescribed for ulcer patients.

You can take Tums, Rolaids, or Pepcid complete chewables (I found those work better than Tums/Rolaids).

For the Prilosec, my prescription and most other PPIs advise to take it, and then wait at least 30-60 minutes before eating. I wait the full 60 minutes.

You may want to contact your surgeon to let him know what he is prescribing isn't working for you, and make sure you can take something different.

achopp · April 18, 2010

I've been taking these prescription Prevacid tablets that dissolve on your tongue since day 3, and I haven't had any problems with acid at all. They're quite expensive without insurance, but if you have prescription insurance maybe you can ask your doctor for a script.

Joolzabug · April 18, 2010

I'm on Protonix and have had no acid. It's prescription though, so you would have to call your doctor.

Morgandobes · April 18, 2010

My doc tells me I can take 2 of the 20 mg pepcid per day. If you found that the pepcid has worked in the past,(I found priolosec didnt work for me), you can ask your doc if you can up to 2 per day and see if that helps.