H2 blockers v. PPIs, effectiveness query

[Jasmine]

My understanding is that H2 blockers inhibit histamine, and that this slows acid production, whereas PPIs stop the stomach's "acid pump". But why exactly do PPIs work so much better than H2 blockers?

[LSAT]

Originally posted by Jasmine
My understanding is that H2 blockers inhibit histamine, and that this slows acid production, whereas PPIs stop the stomach's "acid pump". But why exactly do PPIs work so much better than H2 blockers?

You answered your own question. It's a matter of slowing the production of acid or stopping the production of acid. Stopping is better than slowing.

[Jasmine]

Hi LSAT, yes I can see that much. But what I want to know is... what is it about H2 blockers which makes them only slow the acid, and what is it about PPIs which makes them stop the acid? Why can H2 blockers only slow the acid to a certain extent rather than totally?

Originally posted by LSAT
You answered your own question. It's a matter of slowing the production of acid or stopping the production of acid. Stopping is better than slowing.

[daw]

I've never seen it mentioned that H2Blockers "slow" the production of acid. It does inhibit the secretion of gastric acid by being a competitive inhibitor of histamine H2 receptors. It is probably just a matter of semantics. I'm sure if you took enough of an H2Blocker the acid production would be greatly reduced.

PPIs don't "totally" stop the acid production either. Personally speaking I get better acid reduction from H2Blockers ....but I'm weird. :)