1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Heartburn / GERD
photo of Sharon Gillson
Heartburn / GERD Blog

By Sharon Gillson, About.com Guide to Heartburn / GERD since 2003

Press Release: Maximum Strength Pepcid(R) AC is Now Available Over-the-Counter

Friday October 24, 2003
Johnson & Johnson-Merck launch the new Maximum Strength PepcidŽ AC for the Millions of Americans Who Suffer from Heartburn. Maximum Strength PepcidŽ AC is the only H2 blocker available at prescription strength.

Press Release
Source: Johnson & Johnson-Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals Co.

Friday October 24, 8:01 am ET
Johnson & Johnson-Merck and Celebrity Chef Claud Mann Celebrate the Launch of a Strong and Effective Treatment for the Millions of Americans Who Suffer from Heartburn.

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- New strong and effective relief is now available for the millions Americans who suffer from heartburn each year. New Maximum Strength PepcidŽ AC is the only H2 blocker available at prescription strength. This formulation, which can be taken before meals to prevent heartburn, consists of a highly effective acid reducer (famotidine 20 mg) that significantly reduces the production of acid at the source, to provide effective, long-lasting, all day or all night* relief of heartburn with just one dose. Maximum Strength PepcidŽ AC is a strong and effective choice for treating heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach.

The new Maximum Strength PepcidŽ AC was celebrated at a unique cooking experience hosted by Claud Mann, celebrity chef and co-host of Dinner & a Movie. The spotlight, at the posh New York Culinary Loft, was on healthy living, preparing savory meals that are less heartburn inducing, the essentials for any fine dining experience, and Mann's famous 10 Kitchen Commandments.

Attendees dined on several of Mann's favorite dishes, which are featured in his latest cookbook, 100 Favorite Recipes Served up by Claud Mann, Your Chef Host on "Dinner & a Movie." Mann offered his very own tips and tools for maintaining a healthy lifestyle through modifying those ingredients known to cause heartburn. He suggested blanching garlic to make digestion easier, trimming out the pith and seeds of peppers to reduce heat, using leaner cuts of meat, sauteing rather than deep-frying, and replacing cheeses such as mascarpone with low fat yogurt in order to make recipes healthier and less likely to cause heartburn. He demonstrated just how simple it can be to enjoy flavorful recipes, including 'Two Hot Peppers on the Lamb,' a spicy Latin dish, and 'Obi Wan Cannoli,' a fresh take on an old favorite, while reducing your chances of experiencing heartburn. In addition, Claud shared his thoughts regarding how a recipe should be nothing more than a road map, and while cooking, you should feel free to follow it, take a few side trips or head off in an entirely new direction.

"While consumers are continuing to adopt healthier lifestyles, there are times when heartburn cannot be avoided. PepcidŽ brands have been the choice of millions of consumers because they provide consumers the freedom, convenience and choice to treat heartburn before it starts, or get fast relief that lasts all day or all night. And now, Maximum Strength PepcidŽ AC is available to provide PepcidŽ strength previously available only by prescription to meet the needs of those heartburn sufferers that require stronger treatment options," said Kathy Widmer, Franchise Director, Johnson & Johnson-Merck.

Maximum Strength PepcidŽ AC, which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2003, is now available in packages of 5, 25, 50 and 75 tablets at retail food stores, pharmacies and mass merchandisers nationwide. The PepcidŽ AC family of products will continue to be available in original tablet, chewable and gel cap formulations.

"Today over 61 million people in the United States experience heartburn at least once a month, and as many as 7 out of 10 sufferers are able to relieve their symptoms with over-the-counter products," said Steven Peikin, MD, Professor of Medicine and Head of Gastroenterology at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center. Maximum Strength PepcidŽ AC delivers effective relief and continues to offer consumers the choice to take a heartburn remedy only when needed."

Heartburn occurs as a result of inappropriate relaxation of the muscular valve at the lower end of the esophagus, or food pipe. This valve normally serves to keep acidic juices in the stomach. Heartburn strikes when acid from the stomach flows up into the esophagus causing a burning sensation in the chest or throat, sometimes leaving a sour or bitter taste in the mouth. Certain foods may trigger heartburn such as coffee, fatty foods, chocolate, peppermint and alcohol. Heartburn can usually be treated and prevented through lifestyle modifications, as well as with medication.

The Pepcid Franchise has had an important presence in the acid relief category since 1995, and continues to be the choice of millions of consumers. Pepcid provides effective and long-lasting relief, which lasts all day or all night, only when needed. Pepcid AC prevents heartburn when taken before meals and Pepcid Complete's superior Dual Action formula stops heartburn and acid indigestion after it starts. Pepcid Complete's fast-acting antacid starts neutralizing acid on contact while the H2 blocker, also found in Pepcid AC, significantly reduces the production of excess acid at the source, to provide fast, long-lasting, all day or all night relief* with just one dose.

Maximum Strength Pepcid AC is the newest product from Johnson & Johnson-Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals Co., a joint venture between two of the nation's largest healthcare companies. The company combines the clinical research and development capabilities of Merck and Co., with the consumer marketing and sales expertise of Johnson & Johnson. The company is based in Fort Washington, PA.

* Based on 8 hour symptom relief studies during the day and 12 hour acid control studies at night.

Comments

No comments yet. Leave a Comment

Leave a Comment

Line and paragraph breaks are automatic. Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title="">, <b>, <i>, <strike>

Explore Heartburn / GERD
About.com Special Features

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Heartburn / GERD

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.