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Compare PEPCID® to Other OTC Heartburn Medications

Compare over-the-counter heartburn medications, including Histamine-2 (H2) blockers, antacids, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Please speak with your healthcare provider about which treatment may be right for you.

PEPCID® vs ZANTAC 360°®

Both PEPCID® and ZANTAC 360°® are a H2 blocker with the active ingredient famotidine. Famotidine helps relieve heartburn by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach.

PEPCID® is the original famotidine brand and has been clinically proven to be safe and effective at providing fast heartburn relief for 35 years when used as directed. Backed by 50+ clinical studies, PEPCID® is the #1 doctor recommended acid reducer brand in the market. Explore more here — PEPCID® vs ZANTAC 360°®.

Find a Heartburn Medicine that May Be Right for You

Explore the heartburn medicine comparison chart below to compare Maximum Strength PEPCID AC®, Original Strength PEPCID AC® and PEPCID COMPLETE® to ZANTAC 360°® Maximum Strength and ZANTAC 360°® Original Strength, as well as other OTC heartburn medicines. Understand the differences between brands to help determine which over-the-counter heartburn medication might be right for you.

Select 2 Products
Tums Antacid Peppermint Tablets
TUMS® Regular Strength 500 Chewables
Calcium Carbonate
Prilosec OTC Omeprazole Delayed-Release Acid Reducing Tablets
PRILOSEC OTC ® Tablets
Omeprazole
BENEFITS
Classification H2 Blocker Antacid PPI
Active Ingredient Famotidine Calcium Carbonate Omeprazole
Adult Dosing 1 tablet 2-4 tablets 1 pill every day for 14 days
Intended Use Treats and prevents unexpected heartburn Treats unexpected heartburn Treats frequent heartburn
Onset of Heartburn Relief Starts to work in minutes1 Starts to work in seconds4 Not intended for immediate relief. Can take up to 1-4 days for full effect
Duration of Acid Control or Neutralization Up to 12 hours2 Up to 12 hours2 Up to 24 hours (when taken once daily for 14 days)
Prevents Heartburn A white checkmark icon in a dark blue circle.3
No
No
Controls Acid All Night A white checkmark icon in a dark blue circle.2
No
Up to 24 hours (when taken once daily for 14 days)
Tablet/Capsule
Yes
No
Yes
Chewable Tablet
No
Yes
No
Original Famotidine Brand, Clinically Proven Heartburn Relief for 35 Years
Yes
No
No
#1 Doctor Recommended Acid Reducer Brand
Yes
No
No
#1 Gastroenterologist Recommended Acid Reducer H2 Blocker Brand
Yes
No
No
Backed by 50+ Clinical Studies
Yes
No
No
FOOTER
No
*Based on Tums® Regular Strength 500 Chewables *Based on Prilosec OTC® tablets

Why Choose PEPCID®

PEPCID® is an H2 blocker that provides relief for occasional heartburn in just 15-30 minutes and helps control acid all day or all night.* As the #1 doctor recommended and #1 selling brand for preventing and relieve heartburn fast, PEPCID® products contain the active ingredient famotidine, an H2 blocker that helps relieve heartburn by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach. For 35 years backed by 50+ clinical studies, PEPCID® has provided safe and effective heartburn relief when used as directed. Learn more about PEPCID®.

PEPCID® is an FDA approved, safe and effective remedy to relieve symptoms of occasional heartburn when used as directed.

PEPCID® provides fast heartburn relief in minutes and lasts all day*. Learn more about the PEPCID® money back guarantee and find the details about our policy here.


1Starts to relieve heartburn in 15-30 minutes.

2Based on 9 hour acid control studies during the day and 12 hour acid control studies at night. Acid control does not imply symptom relief.

3Prevents heartburn if taken 10-60 minutes before a meal.

4Starts to neutralize acid on contact.

5Prevents heartburn if taken 15-60 minutes before a meal.



See Why PEPCID® Could Work for You

Pepcid logo versus PPI or antacid heartburn relief medication
H2 Blocker vs. Antacid vs. PPI

Better understand the types of heartburn treatments and determine which is right for your symptoms.

Pepcid AC Maximum Strength, Pepcid Complete, Pepcid Complete Travel, and Pepcid AC Original Strength
What Is PEPCID®?

Better understand the types of heartburn treatments and determine which is right for your symptoms.