| Drug Name |
Available Over The Counter |
Uses |
Mechanism of Action |
Side Effects - Serious |
Side Effects - Common |
Side Effects - Less Common |
Concerns |
| Cimetidine (Tagamet) |
Yes |
treatment of ulcers of stomach and duodenum, esophagitis, gastoesophageal reflux |
blocks action of histamine, and therefore decreases secretion of hydrochloric acid |
irregular heart rhythm, bleeding difficulties, bruising, fever, chills |
headache, fatigue, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting |
blurred vision, decreased sexual desire or function, swelling of breasts in men and women, temporary hair loss |
avoid smoking cigarettes as it may increase gastric acid secretion |
| Famotidine (Pepcid) |
Yes |
treatment of heartburn, ulcers of stomach and duodenum, conditions which cause excessive production of gastric
acid, and gastroesophageal reflux |
blocks action of histamine, and therefore decreases secretion of hydrochloric acid |
irregular heart rhythm, bleeding difficulties, bruising, fever, chills |
headache, fatigue, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting |
blurred vision, decreased sexual desire or function, swelling of breasts in men and women, temporary hair loss |
do not take prescription medication for more than 8 weeks unless advised by doctor; do not take over the counter
medication for more than 2 weeks |
| Nizatidine (Axid) |
Yes |
treat and prevent recurrence of gastric and duodenal ulcers, as well as conditions which cause increased gastric
acid production, and gastroesophageal reflux |
blocks action of histamine, and therefore decreases secretion of hydrochloric acid |
irregular heart rhythm, bleeding difficulties, bruising, fever, chills |
headache, fatigue, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting |
blurred vision, decreased sexual desire or function, swelling of breasts in men and women, temporary hair loss |
avoid cigarette smoking, as it increases gastric acid production |
| Omeprazole (Prilosec) |
No |
treatment of duodenal ulcers and conditions which cause increased gastric acid production, and gastroesophageal
reflux |
blocks action of an enzyme in cells which line the stomach, thus decreasing production of gastric acid |
|
diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, headache, dizziness |
bloody or cloudy urine, sores or ulcers in the mouth, sore throat, fever, bruising or bleeding |
|
|
Drug Name |
Available Over The Counter |
Uses |
Mechanism of Action |
Side Effects - Serious |
Side Effects - Common |
Side Effects - Less Common |
Concerns |
| Ranitidine (Zantac) |
No |
treatment of duodenal ulcers caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria |
enhances antibiotic effect of clarithromycin to erradicate Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which is felt to re causative
of the majority of peptic ulcers |
none |
diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache |
abdominal discomfort, tremors |
|
| Sucralfate (Carafate) |
No |
treatment and prevention of duodenal ulcers |
coats surface of an ulcer, protecting the tissue from iritation of stomach acids and other substances |
drowsiness, seizures |
constipation |
backache, diarrhea, dizziness, lightheadedness, dry mouth |
do not take other medications at least 2 hours before or after taking sucralfate; do not take antacids within 30
minutes of taking sucralfate |
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