Difference Between Antacids and H2 Blockers
Most of the people have an idea of Antacids. Yes, they are actually drugs or substances that neutralize the acidic condition of stomach. Yet, people began to accept this term as the name of almost all the anti-acids, while in reality it is not. People who are not much familiar with acid-reducing drugs, making use of the term antacid because it is not hard to use as compared with H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors. Well, the latter are the various anti-acid-type drugs that have almost the same type of function as antacids but they are not equal in functionality.
Antacids are primary ingredients that tend to neutralize the acids present in the stomach. Therefore, specific bases (as opposed to acid) and other basic substances also play a role. When the acidic pH in the stomach dangerous falls, you feel a little pain in the epigastric region due to too much acid. This is when the antacid comes into play as they raise the pH in the stomach and restoration of ideal pH level is likely to sour. Known antacids include Maalox suspension and calcium Tums.
Moreover, the H2 blocker mechanism, in fact is very different from antacids. In fact, blocking the H2 is blocking the action of histamine in the stomach wall. This means that the histamine on the parietal cells of the wall acts to create more acid. By blocking the same, H2 blockers reduce acid secreted by tendon cells. Therefore, drugs known as H2-receptor antagonists come into use. The most famous H2 blockers are cimetidine and Rantidine.
As both classes of drugs are related, they are used for dyspepsia and ulcers, but the effect of this group has been surpassed by any other group of acid-fighters called proton pump inhibitors (PPI)
As for interactions with medications, antacids have been shown to reduce bioavailability (fractional dose of the drug goes to the body’s cells) of drugs such as tetracycline when used in boxes with unstable gastric pH Levels.
Furthermore, cimetidine has been criticized because of the STI’s inherent ability to affect the body’s normal rate of use (metabolism) and excretion of drugs by inhibiting the secretion of the few major enzymes in the body. In this context, drugs such as warfarin, lidocaine, calcium and many other are administered as Cimitidine and tend to increase the levels of these compounds in serum when given simultaneously (in total ).
Abstract:
1 Antacids raise the pH of stomach acid, neutralizing the effect of acidity, while the H2 blockers inhibit the action of histamine to prevent production of excess stomach acid from cells.