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Compare Alka-Seltzer vs. Pepcid

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)
  • Alka-seltzer
    Famotidine (Pepcid)

  • Summary of Alka-Seltzer vs. Pepcid

    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) is a type of acid reducer called a histamine-2 (H2) antagonist. It helps treat problems caused by too much stomach acid. Over-the-counter famotidine (Pepcid or Pepcid AC) can help with heartburn in people who are 12 and up. Prescription-only famotidine is for people with more ongoing stomach acid problems and stomach or gut ulcers. This medication is taken by mouth once or twice a day. It usually starts to work within an hour and lasts several hours. Side effects include headache, dizziness, and constipation.

  • Indications of Alka-Seltzer vs. Pepcid

    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 famotidine:

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

    Prescription famotidine:

    •Stomach ulcers
    •Intestinal ulcers
    •Heartburn (GERD)
    •Erosive esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) due to GERD
    •Other conditions that cause too much stomach acid (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)

  • Pros and Cons of Alka-Seltzer vs. Pepcid

    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
    •Available over the counter (OTC) for heartburn
    •Effects can last for up to several hours after taking
    •Generally well-tolerated with few side effects and risks
    •Can take with antacids if needed (e.g., calcium carbonate (Tums))
    Cons
    •Can take 1 to 3 hours to fully work
    •OTC version not for children under 12 years old
    •Higher risk of certain side effects in older adults and people with kidney problems
    •Might not work as well as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for relieving heartburn and healing stomach ulcers

  • Common Side Effects of Alka-Seltzer vs. Pepcid

    Common Side Effects for

    See Risks and Warnings

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

  • Warnings of Alka-Seltzer vs. Pepcid

    Common Side Effects for
    •Stomach bleeding and ulcers
    •Reye's syndrome in children
    •Allergic reactions
    Common Side Effects for
    •Confusion and other side effects related to the nervous system in some people
    •Masking of possible stomach cancer

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

    Learn more about Alka-seltzer
    Learn more about Famotidine

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