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Is It Chronic Heartburn or Acid Reflux Disease?

Chronic heartburn may be something
more serious - acid reflux disease

Many people will experience heartburn from time to time. However, when you experience chronic heartburn (more than twice a week), you may have a condition called acid reflux disease. Acid reflux symptoms include frequent or chronic heartburn.

What is acid reflux disease?

Acid reflux happens when a muscle between the stomach and the esophagus does not work well. The muscle acts like a valve and is called the lower esophageal sphincter. When the muscle does not close properly, stomach contents can "reflux" (flow back) into the esophagus.

So, if you have heartburn more than twice a week (i.e., chronic heartburn), you should see a doctor because acid reflux disease can lead to serious health problems like erosive esophagitis.

Acid reflux disease & chronic heartburn can be successfully managed

Fortunately, treatment with a proton pump inhibitor can successfully manage acid reflux disease by controlling stomach acid production.

Research indicates that proton pump inhibitors are the most effective treatment for acid reflux disease. ZEGERID is the First and Only Immediate-Release oral Proton Pump Inhibitor, providing immediate release and continued acid control.


Next page: Heartburn Challenge Quiz


Your Heartburn | Why Choose ZEGERID?
For ZEGERID Patients | Savings and Information | Important Safety Information

Product Description
ZEGERID® contains omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), and sodium bicarbonate, an antacid.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS TAKING ZEGERID

What is ZEGERID for?
ZEGERID is indicated for the treatment of heartburn and other symptoms of acid reflux disease. ZEGERID is also used to treat and maintain the healing of erosive esophagitis, which may result from acid reflux. ZEGERID is also indicated for the short-term treatment of active duodenal ulcer and of active benign gastric ulcer.

Remember, only your doctor can diagnose your condition and tell you whether a prescription for ZEGERID is right for you.

Ask your doctor if ZEGERID is right for you
Only your doctor can tell if you have acid reflux disease. And only your doctor can prescribe a treatment for you. Take notes of your symptoms. What symptoms do you have? When do you have them? Then ask your doctor if ZEGERID is right for you.

How to take ZEGERID¹
ZEGERID comes in capsules or a powder for oral suspension that you mix with water. Both the capsule and the powder are immediate release, in 40 mg and 20 mg strengths.

ZEGERID should be taken once a day on an empty stomach. You should wait at least one hour after taking ZEGERID before having a meal.

Side effects¹
Side effects of ZEGERID include headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Contact your healthcare professional if these or other side effects persist or become bothersome. Relief of your symptoms while on ZEGERID does not rule out other serious stomach conditions.

Sodium content¹
ZEGERID Capsules contain 304 mg of sodium. ZEGERID Powder for Oral Suspension contains 460 mg of sodium. These amounts are comparable to the amount of sodium in an ounce of corn flakes (350 mg). A single capsule is 13% of the American Heart Association's recommended daily intake of 2,300 mg of sodium. A single dose of powder for oral suspension is 20% of the American Heart Association's recommended daily intake of 2,300 mg of sodium. For people with heart failure, the American Heart Association's recommended sodium intake is no more than 2,000 mg per day. These amounts should be taken into consideration by anyone on a sodium restricted diet. People with metabolic alkalosis and hypocalcemia should not take ZEGERID.

Due to the sodium content in ZEGERID, two 20 mg doses should not be used in place of one 40 mg dose.

ZEGERID should not be taken by anyone with a known hypersensitivity to any component of the formulation.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers¹
There are no clinical studies of ZEGERID in pregnant women or nursing mothers. Women who are pregnant or nursing should talk to their physicians before using ZEGERID.

Reference: 1. ZEGERID Prescribing Information. Santarus, Inc. January 2010.

To learn more about ZEGERID, see full prescribing information and talk with your doctor.

Please consult with your healthcare professional to see if ZEGERID is right for you. The content of this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be interpreted as treatment recommendations or relied on for medical diagnosis or treatment. Please see complete Legal Disclaimer.