When you eat, millions of tiny pumps in your stomach lining create acid to break down food. Normally your lower esophageal sphincter (LES) works as a door, opening and closing to let food pass from your esophagusHEARTBURN GLOSSARY Esophagus: Tube connecting the mouth to the stomach; a passageway for food; part of the digestive system. into your stomach.

When your LES relaxes, excess acids flow up, or reflux, into your esophagus. This creates the painful sensation of heartburn.

Prilosec OTC works by directly blocking many of the active stomach pumps that produce acid before they start. Prilosec OTC is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). The way Prilosec OTC works to fight heartburn sets it in a whole separate class from other treatments such as histamine blockers or antacidsHEARTBURN GLOSSARY Antacids: Common treatment for heartburn symptoms, neutralizing acid in the stomach for a short period of time..

The 14-Day Prilosec OTC Regimen

Prilosec OTC works to stop heartburn for 24 hours with one pill a day. It is indicated for a 14-day course of treatment, up to three times a year.

If you need to use Prilosec OTC for more than the three indicated 14-day courses of treatment, you should first consult your doctor. Here’s why: By talking with your doctor first, you and your doctor will ensure you’re not missing a bigger health problem, such as GERD, and that Prilosec OTC continues to be right for you. Your doctor will confirm that Prilosec OTC should still be taken for your heartburn.

If you miss a day of heartburn treatment, just continue your treatment on the next day as usual. Prilosec OTC is still safe and effective for use in treating frequent heartburn, even when you miss a day. Find out how you can get started taking Prilosec OTC for a 14-day trial with the Prilosec OTC 14-Day Challenge.