Heartburn treatment can be a balancing act. Pair lifestyle counseling with easy, effective PEPCID®
Even when patients know what they should do to avoid heartburn, life often gets in the way. To help equip them for those moments when they anticipate or experience symptoms, combine lifestyle counseling with PEPCID® for a balanced approach to getting heartburn relief.
HEARTBURN HELP: PRACTICAL TIPS TO SHARE WITH PATIENTS
Patients may not realize that some very simple changes can help prevent or minimize the effects of heartburn.
Eat smaller meals
A full stomach can put extra pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Eating slowly, keeping portions small, and trying to eat 6 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 large meals may help reduce symptoms.
Elevate the upper body if lying down
For nighttime heartburn, elevating the head and chest upright in bed, lying on the left side, or standing up may provide some relief. Raising the upper body can help stomach acid naturally move downward, which can reduce heartburn symptoms at night.
Wear loose clothing
Tight-fitting clothes like belts can put additional pressure on the stomach. This can force food against the LES, causing acid reflux and heartburn.
Take an OTC acid reducer
PEPCID AC® and Maximum Strength PEPCID AC® work fast to relieve heartburn and control acid all day or all night.*
TAKING PEPCID® TO PREVENT HEARTBURN AT NIGHT
Here’s helpful information for patients who experience occasional heartburn at night, especially after a late meal:
- If eating late, take PEPCID AC® or Maximum Strength PEPCID AC® before the meal to prevent heartburn throughout the night†
- Just one pill offers acid control through the night‡—and may help reduce nighttime awakenings due to meal-induced heartburn§
QUESTIONS FOR THE NEWLY DIAGNOSED PATIENT
A few simple questions can help patients discover patterns in their occasional
heartburn, and help you counsel them on preventing or reducing symptoms.
Does heartburn ever cause you to awaken in the middle of the night?
Are there certain foods that trigger your heartburn?
Are there certain situations or occasions when you find it harder to resist trigger foods?
Do your family members keep symptom-provoking foods in the house?
When you have tried to manage symptoms in the past, what has worked? What hasn’t?
DOES UNEXPECTED HEARTBURN STRESS YOUR PATIENTS OUT?
Let them know that PEPCID® works before, during, or after the start of heartburn and lasts all day||
THE ONLY FAMOTIDINE BRAND THAT’S THIS COMPLETE
PEPCID COMPLETE® combines:
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An antacid that immediately starts neutralizing acid plus
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The H2 blocker famotidine that helps control acid all day or all night†
No other brand is both faster and longer-lasting at neutralizing and controlling acid than PEPCID COMPLETE®.
*Based on 9-hour acid control studies during the day and 12-hour acid control studies during the night. Acid control does not imply symptom relief.
†Maximum Strength PEPCID AC® must be taken 10 to 60 minutes before the meal to prevent symptoms; PEPCID AC® must be taken 15 to 60 minutes before the meal to prevent symptoms.
‡Based on 12-hour acid control studies during the night. Acid control does not imply symptom relief.
§Based on clinical studies showing patients taking PEPCID® reported reduced nighttime awakenings compared to placebo.
||Based on 8 hours of symptom relief studies during the day.