Best Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist for heartburn
Top-rated pick: Famotidine — pharmaranks score 70/100, the highest of the 4 Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist drugs used for heartburn, ranked by our independent FDA recall-safety score. Compare them with all treatments for heartburn or the full Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist class. Not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 4 histamine-2 receptor antagonist drugs we rate for heartburn, all are available as lower-cost generics, and most are tablet. Our ranking reflects each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for heartburn; the right choice depends on your situation, so confirm it with your prescriber.
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Top histamine-2 receptor antagonist for heartburn: 1. Famotidine · 2. Pepcid Ac · 3. Tagamet Hb
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70/100 | Prescription | Suspension | Generic | $2 | View → | |
| 2 | 70/100 | Over-the-counter | Tablet | Generic | $2 | View → | |
| 3 | 70/100 | Over-the-counter | Tablet | Generic | $10 | View → | |
| 4 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Solution | Generic | $10 | View → |
Full ranking · 4 drugs
famotidine
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Famotidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist used to treat Duodenal Ulcer, Dyspepsia, Peptic Esophagitis, Gastroesophageal Reflux.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.91/30· 5 formspepcid ac
Over-the-counterFDA-sourced
Pepcid Ac (Famotidine) is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist used to treat Duodenal Ulcer, Dyspepsia, Peptic Esophagitis, Gastroesophageal Reflux.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.91/30· 5 formstagamet hb
Over-the-counterFDA-sourced
Tagamet Hb (Cimetidine) is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist used to treat Duodenal Ulcer, Dyspepsia, Peptic Esophagitis, Gastroesophageal Reflux.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$6.30/30· 5 forms Save up to 84% in classcimetidine hydrochloride
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Cimetidine Hydrochloride is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist used to treat Duodenal Ulcer, Dyspepsia, Peptic Esophagitis, Gastroesophageal Reflux.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$6.30/30· 5 forms Save up to 84% in classFrequently asked
- What is the best histamine-2 receptor antagonist for heartburn?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — famotidine ranks highest among Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist drugs used for heartburn. Always consult a professional.
- Which histamine-2 receptor antagonist drugs treat heartburn?
- pharmaranks lists 4 Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist products used for heartburn, per NIH RxClass drug-classification data — each independently rated and ranked above.
- How are these ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.