PPIs time out to Tums

NEW YORK — Sure, the plethora of proton-pump inhibitors dotting digestive aisles these days have generated plenty of buzz among antacids, but what do heartburn sufferers do while they wait for the PPI to begin working? They turn to an immediate relief option like the Tums and Tums Ultra brands, which together generated growth of 96.3% to $24.9 million for the 12 weeks ended Jan. 23 across food, drug and mass (minus Walmart), according to SymphonyIRI Group data.

According to GlaxoSmithKline, immediate relief holds a 63% share of stomach with almost four times more buyers than PPIs and H2 blockers.