Which heartburn medicine should I use?

Match it to how often you get heartburn. For immediate, occasional relief, an antacid like calcium carbonate (Tums) works in minutes. For moderate heartburn a few times a week, an H2 blocker like famotidine (Pepcid) lasts several hours. For frequent heartburn, twice a week or more, a proton pump inhibitor like omeprazole (Prilosec) taken once daily is most effective, though it takes one to four days to reach full effect and is meant for 14-day courses. See a doctor for persistent symptoms.

What is the cheapest heartburn medicine?

Generic calcium carbonate (generic Tums) is cheapest per dose at a few cents for occasional relief, and bulk generic famotidine (generic Pepcid) is only about 5 to 10 cents a tablet. For daily treatment, generic omeprazole is the value pick at roughly 25 cents a pill versus 70 or more for brand Prilosec. Buying the store brand and a larger count is always cheaper for the identical medicine.

Is it safe to take heartburn medicine every day?

Antacids and H2 blockers are fine for occasional use. Proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole are designed for 14-day courses up to about three times a year, not indefinite daily use without medical advice, because long-term use is linked to nutrient absorption and other issues, and stopping suddenly can cause rebound acid. If you need heartburn medicine most days for more than a couple of weeks, see a doctor to find the cause rather than masking it.

Generic omeprazole is Prilosec. The same pill, for pennies.

Q: Is generic omeprazole the same as Prilosec?

Yes. Generic omeprazole is the identical drug as Prilosec OTC, generic esomeprazole is Nexium, generic famotidine is Pepcid, and generic calcium carbonate is Tums. The FDA requires the same active ingredient at the same strength, so they work the same. The generic simply costs 60 to 95 percent less. Generic omeprazole is about 25 to 30 cents a pill versus 70 or more for brand Prilosec, and store-brand versions are cheaper still.

Generic omeprazole is Prilosec, generic famotidine is Pepcid, generic calcium carbonate is Tums: the FDA requires the identical active ingredient at the same dose. Yet the brand costs two to three times more. So the honest way to buy heartburn relief is by cost per dose, and by matching the type to how often you actually get it. Here is every option ranked.

Prices reviewed 31 July 2026 . Typical cost per dose, in USD; read the label. Not medical advice, see a doctor for persistent heartburn.

usefulHQ Study · 2026

Brand heartburn medicine costs 2 to 3× more than the identical generic

We costed 11 OTC heartburn medicines by cost per dose. Generic omeprazole is about $0.25 a pill versus Prilosec OTC; generic famotidine is pennies versus Pepcid; generic calcium carbonate undercuts Tums. All are the same active ingredient the FDA requires. The trick is matching the type to how often you get heartburn.

Cheapest / dose

$0.03

generic calcium carbonate

Value daily PPI

$0.25

generic omeprazole (= Prilosec)

Brand Prilosec / dose

$0.70

same drug, brand name

Average cost per dose, generic vs brand

Method: typical cost per standard dose from common US pack prices. Generic and brand versions of each drug are the same active ingredient at the same strength and FDA-bioequivalent. The three types work differently: antacids are immediate, H2 blockers last hours, PPIs are once-daily for frequent heartburn. Prices are indicative and change. Cite this: "usefulHQ Heartburn Medicine Cost Study 2026", usefulhq.com/heartburn-medicine-cost/.

More usefulHQ studies

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<p><a href="https://compare.usefulhq.com/heartburn-medicine-cost/">usefulHQ</a>: Generic omeprazole is Prilosec, famotidine is Pepcid, the exact same drug for 2 to 3&times; less.</p>

Doses per day

doses

Days per month you need it

days

Occasional sufferers use an antacid a few days a month; frequent heartburn (twice a week or more) usually means a daily PPI.

Show only

Heartburn medicine	Type	Per dose	Per month	Per year	Best for
Generic calcium carbonateCheapest The same drug as Tums; neutralises acid in minutes for occasional, mild heartburn.	Antacid	$0.03	$0.60	$7	Cheapest, immediate relief	Check price
Generic famotidine (bulk) The same drug as Pepcid; cuts acid for hours, pennies a tablet in a large count.	H2 blocker	$0.06	$1.20	$14	Cheapest few-times-a-week	Check price
Tums (brand) Calcium carbonate; the same chewable as generic at a brand premium.	Antacid	$0.06	$1.20	$14	Brand antacid	Check price
Store-brand famotidine The same as Pepcid in retailer packaging; lasts several hours.	H2 blocker	$0.15	$3.00	$36	Store-brand H2	Check price
Generic alginate The same as Gaviscon; forms a foam barrier that helps with reflux after meals.	Antacid	$0.15	$3.00	$36	Reflux barrier	Check price
Generic omeprazole The same drug as Prilosec OTC; one pill a day for frequent heartburn, a fraction of the brand.	PPI (24-hour)	$0.25	$5.00	$60	Best value daily PPI	Check price
Generic esomeprazole Identical to Nexium 24HR; 24-hour acid control once daily.	PPI (24-hour)	$0.29	$5.80	$70	Same as Nexium	Check price
Pepcid (brand) Famotidine; identical to the generic, several times the price per tablet.	H2 blocker	$0.30	$6.00	$72	Brand H2 blocker	Check price
Generic lansoprazole Identical to Prevacid 24HR; another once-daily PPI option.	PPI (24-hour)	$0.35	$7.00	$84	Same as Prevacid	Check price
Prilosec OTC (brand) Omeprazole; the exact same drug as generic at two to three times the price.	PPI (24-hour)	$0.70	$14.00	$168	Brand daily PPI	Check price
Nexium 24HR (brand) Esomeprazole; identical to the generic and the dearest per dose here.	PPI (24-hour)	$0.85	$17.00	$204	Priciest brand PPI	Check price

Match the type to how often you get heartburn. Antacids (calcium carbonate, generic Tums) neutralise acid in minutes: best for occasional, mild heartburn. H2 blockers (famotidine, generic Pepcid) reduce acid for several hours: good a few times a week, and cheap in bulk. PPIs (omeprazole, generic Prilosec; esomeprazole, generic Nexium) are the strongest, taken once daily for frequent heartburn (twice a week or more), but they take one to four days to reach full effect and are meant for 14-day courses, not indefinite use without a doctor. Whichever you need, the generic or store brand is the same drug for far less. Note: Zantac is now famotidine (the old ranitidine was withdrawn). This is information, not medical advice; see a doctor for frequent or persistent symptoms.

Common questions

Is generic omeprazole the same as Prilosec?

Yes, the identical drug (omeprazole) at the same dose, FDA-bioequivalent. Generic omeprazole is about 25 to 30 cents a pill versus 70+ for brand Prilosec OTC. Same for famotidine and Pepcid, esomeprazole and Nexium, calcium carbonate and Tums.

Which type should I use?

Match it to frequency: antacids (Tums) for immediate occasional relief, H2 blockers (famotidine) for a few times a week, PPIs (omeprazole) once daily for frequent heartburn (twice a week or more). PPIs take 1 to 4 days to fully work.

What is the cheapest?

Generic calcium carbonate (Tums) at a few cents a dose for occasional relief, and bulk generic famotidine at about 5 to 10 cents. For daily treatment, generic omeprazole is the value pick at ~25 cents vs 70+ for brand.

Is daily heartburn medicine safe?

Antacids and H2 blockers are fine occasionally. PPIs are meant for 14-day courses a few times a year, not indefinite daily use without medical advice, and stopping suddenly can cause rebound acid. Frequent need for more than two weeks warrants a doctor's visit.