Antacid Recall Makes Heartburn Relief Tough To Find For Many
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - For the thousands of area folks who suffer from heartburn, indigestion or acid reflux, finding their favorite over the counter remedy had not been easy. A number of manufacturers are recalling their products for various reasons, all at the same time.
Chief of Gasterenterology at Abington Memorial Hospital, Dr. Harvey Guttmann, says before turning to an over the counter product you should make some life style changes.
"Not over eat, not lay in bed too quickly after eating, avoiding greasy or spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol."
If that doesn't work and you can't find a familiar brand because of the recall, Dr. Guttmann says there is still plenty of help on the shelf.
"The generic versions of all of these are available. With Pepcid it's Famotidine, with Prilosec, Omeprazole, with Prevacid, Lansoprazole -- over the counter."
Pharmacies have their own brand of antacids that work just as well, but Dr. Guttmann says it's important to know that certain medicines you are already on can counter interact with these drugs, so that is why consulting your physician or pharmacist particularly if you haven't taken these drugs in the past is important.
Reported by Michelle Durham, KYW Newsradio
