What is the Difference Between Antacid and PPI

The key difference between antacid and PPI is that antacid reduces the effect of acid in the stomach by neutralizing the acid while proton pump inhibitor (PPI) reduces the effect of acid in the stomach by reducing the body’s production of acid.

Acid reflux disease occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. This irritates the tissues. Heartburn or acid indigestion is a symptom of acid reflux. In this condition, there is a burning sensation where esophagus lies just behind the heart. Over the counter (OTC) medicines are the drugs that people can buy without a doctor’s prescription to treat heartburn and acid reflux. Antacid and PPI are two over the counter medications that can be used to treat heartburn and acid reflux disease.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Antacid 
3. What is PPI
4. Similarities – Antacid and PPI
5. Antacid vs PPI in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Antacid?

Antacid is a medicine that reduces the effect of acid in the stomach by neutralizing the acid. It is a drug that neutralizes stomach acidity. It is used to relieve heartburn, indigestion, or an upset stomach. Some antacids can also be used in the treatment of constipation and diarrhoea.  The current antacids contain salts of aluminium, calcium, magnesium, or sodium. Sometimes antacids preparation may contain a combination of two salts, such as magnesium carbonate and aluminium hydroxide. Antacids are available as the over the counter (OTC) medicine, and it is usually taken by mouth. Antacids come in the forms of chewable tablets, dissolving tablets, and liquid. Moreover, they can provide fast, short term relief.

When an excess amount of acid is produced in the stomach, the natural mucous barrier can be degraded. This leads to pain, irritation, and damage to esophagus.  Antacid contains alkaline ions that chemically neutralize stomach gastric acid. It also reduces damage to the stomach lining and esophagus. However, antacids have some side effects. Antacids that contain magnesium salts may cause diarrhoea, whereas those that contain calcium or aluminium may cause constipation. They may also cause kidney stones and osteoporosis. Furthermore, they have common interactions with other drugs such as fluoroquinolone, tetracycline antibiotics, iron, itraconazole and prednisone.

What is PPI?

PPI (proton pump inhibitor) is a medicine that reduces the effect of acid in the stomach by reducing the body’s production of acid. It is a class of medication that causes a profound and prolonged reduction in stomach acid production. PPI irreversibly inhibits the stomach H⁺/K ATPase proton pump. It is the most potent inhibitor of acid secretion in the stomach. PPI largely supersedes the action of H2 receptor antagonists, which is another class of medication with similar effects. Proton pump inhibitors are among the most widely sold medication in the world at the moment.

This medication is used to treat dyspepsia, peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, eosinophilic esophagus, stress gastritis, and gastrinomas. Furthermore, the common adverse effects of using PPIs include headache, nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fatigue, fatigue, dizziness, rash, itch, flatulence, constipation, anxiety, depression, myopathies, and rhabdomyolysis.  Medically used proton pump inhibitors are Omeprazole, lansoprazole, dexlansoprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, iiaprazole, etc.

What are the Similarities Between Antacid and PPI?

• Antacid and PPI are two medications used to treat stomach acidity.
• Both medications can be purchased as over the counter medications.
• These medications can be used to reduce heartburn and acid reflux disease.
• Both are the most widely used medications in the world.

What is the Difference Between Antacid and PPI?

Antacid reduces the effect of acid in the stomach by neutralizing the acid, while PPI reduces the effect of acid in the stomach by reducing the body’s production of acid. So, this is the key difference between antacid and PPI. Antacid provides short term relief from stomach acidity, while PPI provides long term relief from stomach acidity.

The below infographic lists the differences between antacid and PPI in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Antacid vs PPI

Over the counter (OTC) medicines such as antacid and PPI are the drugs that people can use to treat heartburn and acid reflux. Antacid reduces the effect of acid in the stomach by neutralizing the acid, whereas PPI reduces the effect of acid in the stomach by reducing the body’s production of acid. Thus, this is the key difference between antacid and PPI.

Note: This article is only for information purposes and drugs should not be taken without a doctor’s prescription.

Reference:

1.“Advance Directives and Do Not Resuscitate Orders.” Familydoctor.org, 11 June 2020.
2. Knott, Dr Laurence. “Proton Pump Inhibitors: Information, Examples and Side Effects.” Patient.info, 19 Mar. 2020.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Antacid-L478” By Midnightcomm – Own work (CC BY 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Proton pump inhibitors mechanism” By Anypodetos – Own work, based on File:PPI protonation2.jpg and Mutschler, E.; Schäfer-Korting, M. (2001) (in German) Arzneimittelwirkungen (8th ed.), Stuttgart: Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft, p. 639 ISBN: 3-8047-1763-2. (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia