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Compare Alka-Seltzer vs. Pepcid AC

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Alka-Seltzer (citric acid/aspirin/sodium bicarbonate) and famotidine (Pepcid AC) are both used to treat heartburn, but they work in different ways and belong to different medication classes. Alka-Seltzer is a combination of an antacid and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which helps neutralize stomach acid and relieve pain and inflammation. It is available over-the-counter and comes in dissolvable tablets. Famotidine, on the other hand, is a histamine-2 (H2) antagonist that reduces the amount of acid your stomach produces. It is available both over-the-counter and by prescription, and comes in tablet and liquid forms. Alka-Seltzer is not recommended for children under 12 and contains aspirin, which can cause stomach bleeding and is not safe during pregnancy. Famotidine is generally considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but it may cause side effects like headache, dizziness, and constipation. Additionally, famotidine needs to be taken twice daily for most conditions, while Alka-Seltzer is taken every 4 to 6 hours as needed.

  • Alka-seltzer
    Famotidine (Pepcid AC)
  • Alka-seltzer
    Famotidine (Pepcid AC)

  • Summary of Alka-Seltzer vs. Pepcid AC

    Summary for Antacid / NSAID

    Alka-Seltzer is a medication used to treat symptoms of heartburn, such as upset stomach and headache. While there are multiple products under this brand, this page focuses on the combination medication containing 3 active ingredients: citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, and aspirin. It comes as tablets that are dissolved in water. You drink the mixture by mouth, typically every 4-6 hours as needed.

    Summary for Histamine H2 antagonist

    Famotidine (Pepcid AC) is a histamine-2 (H2) antagonist that's used to treat conditions that cause too much stomach acid to build up, such as heartburn and stomach or intestinal ulcers (sores). It starts to work within an hour and lasts for several hours. It's available as a tablet and a liquid, and is taken by mouth twice per day. Side effects of famotidine (Pepcid AC) include headache, dizziness, and constipation.

  • Indications of Alka-Seltzer vs. Pepcid AC

    Indications for
    •Heartburn, indigestion, and sour stomach with headache, body aches, or pain
    •Upset stomach and headache from having too much food or drink
    •Headache, body aches, and pain alone
    Indications for

    Over-the-counter (OTC) famotidine

    •Prevention and treatment of heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD)

    Prescription famotidine

    •Gastric ulcer (open sore in the stomach)
    •Duodenal ulcer (open sore in the first part of the small intestine)
    •Heartburn (GERD)
    •Erosive esophagitis due to GERD (inflammation of the esophagus)
    •Other conditions that cause too much stomach acid secretion (i.e., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)

  • Pros and Cons of Alka-Seltzer vs. Pepcid AC

    Pros and Const for Antacid / NSAID
    Pros
    •Combination of three medications in a single pill
    •Easy to take for people who have trouble swallowing pills
    •Available over the counter
    Cons
    •Might not be safe for children 12 years old and younger
    •Might need to take multiple times per day
    •Might not be safe for people with certain health conditions (e.g. kidney problems, heart problems, high bleeding risk)
    Pros and Const for Histamine H2 antagonist
    Pros
    •Starts to work within an hour and lasts for up several hours
    •Available as both a generic and over-the-counter option
    •If needed, can be used with some other acid-lowering medications, such as antacids (e.g., calcium carbonate (Tums)) or PPIs
    •Generally well-tolerated with little side effects
    •Available as a oral suspension, a good option for people who can't swallow tablets
    Cons
    •Antacids start to work more quickly than famotidine (Pepcid AC)
    •PPIs work better at healing and preventing stomach ulcers than famotidine (Pepcid AC).
    •Needs to be taken twice daily for most conditions
    •Not the best option for people with kidney problems

  • Common Side Effects of Alka-Seltzer vs. Pepcid AC

    Common Side Effects for

    See Risks and Warnings

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache
    •Dizziness
    •Constipation
    •Diarrhea

  • Warnings of Alka-Seltzer vs. Pepcid AC

    Common Side Effects for
    •Stomach bleeding and ulcers
    •Reye's syndrome in children
    •Allergic reactions
    Common Side Effects for
    •Agitation, confusion, and other brain-related side effects
    •Possible risk of cancer

  • Prices with our coupons for Alka-Seltzer vs. Pepcid AC

    Learn more about Alka-seltzer
    Learn more about Famotidine

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