I took Acid for years to prevent heartburn. When it came out in a generic, nizatidine, I purchased it over-the-counter. It worked well for me. On one occasion the nizatidine wasn't available so I bought famotidine, generic for pepcid. I was told they worked the same; one was generic for pepcid and the other for axid. A few years later, I had a more complex problem. When I told the doctor what I had been using, he gave me a Rx for Prilosec. I take one every morning and have no more problems. Now there is a generic for Prilosec, omeprazole, which is alot less expensive. When I was taking the famotidine, I occassionaly forgot it. If I experienced heartburn, and remembered the famotidine, the heartburn was relieved within one hour. Because of the other symptoms you are experiencing, I recommend you see a general practioner. It could be something more serious. Good luck.