Claims for Patent: 5,989,588

Summary for Patent: 5,989,588

Title:	Methods and compositions for preventing and treating heartburn
Abstract:	A method for preventing heartburn episodes in a patient at risk to development of heartburn, comprising administering to the patient, following the heartburn inducing event but prior to development of heartburn, a composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of an H.sub.2 antagonist and an amount of antacid having between about 15 mEq and 46 mEq acid neutralizing capacity.
Inventor(s):	Korn; Scott H. (Richboro, PA), McNally; Gerard P. (Strafford, PA), Luber; Joseph R. (Quakertown, PA), Ells; Tom S. (Fort Washington, PA)
Assignee:	Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NY) McNeil-PPC, Inc. (Skillman, NJ)
Application Number:	08/940,643
Patent Claims:	1. A method for preventing heartburn episodes in a patient at risk to development of heartburn, comprising administering to the patient, following a heartburn inducing event but prior to development of heartburn, a composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of an H.sub.2 antagonist and an amount of antacid having between about 15 mEq and 46 mEq acid neutralizing capacity. 2. A method of claim 1 wherein the heartburn inducing event is ingestion of a meal which stimulates gastric acid secretion. 3. A method of claim 2 wherein the H.sub.2 antagonist is famotidine. 4. A method of claim 3 wherein the amount of antacid has between about 21 mEq and 42 mEq acid neutralizing capacity. 5. A method of claim 4 wherein the amount of antacid has about 21 mEq acid neutralizing capacity. 6. A method for reducing the frequency and severity of heartburn episodes in a patient at risk to development of heartburn, comprising administering to the patient, following a heartburn inducing event but prior to development of heartburn, a composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of an H.sub.2 antagonist and an amount of antacid having between about 15 mEq and 46 mEq acid neutralizing capacity. 7. A method of claim 6 wherein the heartburn inducing event is ingestion of a meal which stimulates gastric acid secretion. 8. A method of claim 7 wherein the H.sub.2 antagonist is famotidine. 9. A method of claim 8 wherein the amount of antacid has between about 21 mEq and 42 mEq acid neutralizing capacity. 10. A method of claim 9 wherein the amount of antacid has about 21 mEq acid neutralizing capacity. 11. A method for precluding symptoms associated with heartburn episodes in a patient at risk to development of heartburn, comprising administering to the patient, following a heartburn inducing event but prior to development of heartburn, a composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of an H.sub.2 antagonist and an amount of antacid having between about 15 mEq and 46 mEq acid neutralizing capacity. 12. A method of claim 11 wherein the heartburn inducing event is ingestion of a meal which stimulates gastric acid secretion. 13. A method of claim 12 wherein the H.sub.2 antagonist is famotidine. 14. A method of claim 13 wherein the amount of antacid has between about 21 mEq and 42 mEq acid neutralizing capacity. 15. A method of claim 14 wherein the amount of antacid has about 21 mEq acid neutralizing capacity. 16. A method for reducing the risk of heartburn episodes in a patient at risk to development of heartburn, comprising administering to the patient, following a heartburn inducing event but prior to development of heartburn, a composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of an H.sub.2 antagonist and an amount of antacid having between about 15 mEq and 46 mEq acid neutralizing capacity. 17. A method of claim 16 wherein the heartburn inducing event is ingestion of a meal which stimulates gastric acid secretion. 18. A method of claim 17 wherein the H.sub.2 antagonist is famotidine. 19. A method of claim 18 wherein the amount of antacid has between about 21 mEq and 42 mEq acid neutralizing capacity. 20. A method of claim 19 wherein the amount of antacid has about 21 mEq acid neutralizing capacity. 21. A composition comprising about 10 mg famotidine and an amount of antacid between about 15 mEq and 46 mEq acid neutralizing capacity. 22. A composition of claim 21 wherein the amount of antacid having between about 21 mEq and 42 mEq acid neutralizing capacity. 23. A composition of claim 22 wherein the amount of antacid having about 21 mEq acid neutralizing capacity. 24. A composition of claim 23 wherein the composition is in the form of a chewable tablet. 25. A method for treating heartburn episodes in a patient comprising administering to the patient a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition of claim 21.