Main content H2 Blockers (Acid Reducers) for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

    H2 Blockers (Acid Reducers) for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)



    How Well It Works

    All of the H2 blockers in this class are about equally effective.

    H2 blockers work to help symptoms of GERD. But the number of people who take H2 blockers and who have no GERD symptoms is usually less than 5 out of 10 people. That means that of the people taking H2 blockers, more than 5 out of 10 still have some GERD symptoms.Reference 1

    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.




    By: Reference Healthwise Staff Last Revised: May 10, 2012
    Medical Review: Reference Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
    Reference Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology


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