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H2 Blockers (Acid Reducers) for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Depending on how bad your symptoms are, medicines may need to be taken every day or only now and then when GERD symptoms occur. Long-term—often lifelong—drug treatment is usually needed for GERD symptoms that are more severe, because symptoms tend to return when drug treatment is stopped.
Treatment of inflammation in the esophagus (esophagitis) with H2 blockers usually lasts 8 to 12 weeks. If H2 blockers do not help relieve the symptoms, the doctor may recommend using a proton pump inhibitor (acid blocker) instead.
Lifestyle changes and antacids are usually tried first to treat pregnant women who have GERD. If you are pregnant and think you need something stronger, ranitidine and cimetidine are the H2 blockers that have been studied the most. They seem to be safe during pregnancy. It is always a good idea to talk to your doctor about what medicines are safe to use during pregnancy.
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| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: March 16, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology | |
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