Best treatments for heartburn
12 products may treat heartburn, spanning FDA drug classes such as histamine-2 receptor antagonist, proton pump inhibitor. The current highest-rated option is famotidine. Ranked below by our independent recall-safety rating (rated where FDA data exists) — not medical advice; always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 12 drugs we list for heartburn, 7 are available as lower-cost generics, spanning classes such as histamine-2 receptor antagonist, proton pump inhibitor. They’re ranked by each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for heartburn — so confirm the right choice with your prescriber.
New to this? See the plain-language over-the-counter & self-care guide →
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Top-rated picks for heartburn: 1. Famotidine · 2. Nexium · 3. Nexium 24hr
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Class | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70/100 | Prescription | Suspension | Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist | Generic | $2 | View → | |
| 2 | 70/100 | Prescription | Capsule | Proton Pump Inhibitor | No data | — | View → | |
| 3 | 70/100 | Over-the-counter | Capsule | Proton Pump Inhibitor | No data | — | View → | |
| 4 | 70/100 | Over-the-counter | Tablet | Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist | Generic | $2 | View → | |
| 5 | 70/100 | Over-the-counter | Tablet | Proton Pump Inhibitor | No data | — | View → | |
| 6 | 70/100 | Over-the-counter | Tablet | Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist | Generic | $10 | View → | |
| 7 | 66/100 | Prescription | Capsule | Proton Pump Inhibitor | No data | — | View → | |
| 8 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | Proton Pump Inhibitor | No data | — | View → | |
| 9 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Solution | Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist | Generic | $10 | View → | |
| 10 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Capsule | Proton Pump Inhibitor | Generic | $126 | View → |
Narrow by drug class
Explore the class hubs: proton pump inhibitor · histamine-2 receptor antagonist
Full ranking · 12 treatments
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 formsnexium
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Nexium (Esomeprazole Magnesium) is a proton pump inhibitor used to treat Duodenal Ulcer, Esophagitis, Gastroesophageal Reflux, Heartburn.
Price varies
nexium 24hr
Over-the-counterFDA-sourced
Nexium 24hr (Esomeprazole Magnesium) is a proton pump inhibitor used to treat Duodenal Ulcer, Esophagitis, Gastroesophageal Reflux, Heartburn.
pepcid 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 formsprilosec otc
Over-the-counterFDA-sourced
Prilosec OTC (Omeprazole Magnesium) is a proton pump inhibitor used to treat Duodenal Ulcer, Esophagitis, Gastroesophageal Reflux, Heartburn.
tagamet 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 classFrequently asked
- What treats heartburn?
- Our catalog lists 12 products that may treat heartburn, based on NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. They're rated where FDA recall-safety data exists; the current top-rated option is famotidine.
- What is the best-rated treatment for heartburn?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — famotidine ranks highest among the products we list for heartburn. Always consult a professional.
- How are these treatments 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.
- What types of drugs treat heartburn?
- Treatments for heartburn span FDA drug classes including histamine-2 receptor antagonist, proton pump inhibitor. Compare every option side by side, ranked by independent rating, above.
Treatment associations are derived from NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. This is general reference, not medical advice — always consult a licensed professional.