Background: Antacids and gastric acid inhibitors are effective in the self-treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aim was to investigate onset of action of the antacid hydrotalcite compared
with the OTC H2-receptor antagonist famotidine in patients suffering from heartburn.
Material/Methods: A total of 53 patients with endoscopically diagnosed GERD grade 0–1 took part in this open, randomized, parallel-group comparison trial: 26 patients received a single dose of 1000 mg hydrotalcite and 27 patients a single dose of 10 mg famotidine on the occasion of a symptomatic reflux
episode. Severity of heartburn and accompanying symptoms were documented on a four-point verbal rating scale (VRS) at baseline and up to four hours after intake. Onset and duration of action were defined by the number of patients experiencing improvement of heartburn from severe or
moderate to mild or none compared with baseline.
Results: Hydrotalcite was significantly superior (p

Keywords: Aluminum Hydroxide - therapeutic use, Antacids - therapeutic use, Anti-Ulcer Agents - therapeutic use, Demography, Famotidine - therapeutic use, Gastroesophageal Reflux - drug therapy, Magnesium Hydroxide - therapeutic use, Nonprescription Drugs - therapeutic use