Placebo Controlled Phase IV Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of a Single Dose of Oral Talcid, a Single Dose of Oral Famotidine and a Single Dose of Placebo in Patients With Acute Heartburn Episodes

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female between the age of 18 to 65 years * A minimum of 6 months history of heartburn * History of relief of heartburn episodes after self-medication (OTC use) within at least 2 hours * Occurrence of heartburn episodes at least twice a week during the previous two months * Severity of heartburn episodes at least 5 on an 11-category heartburn severity scale Exclusion Criteria: * History of 'alarming symptoms' e.g. weight loss, vomiting, dysphagia, anemia, hematemesis or melaena * History of gastric ulcer or gastroesophageal reflux disease requiring regular or intermittent therapy with H2-antagonists or proton pump inhibitors within the previous year * History of significant gastrointestinal hemorrhage or gastrointestinal surgery * Gastrointestinal odynophagia (pain during swallowing) * History or concurrent known duodenitis, pyloric dysfunction with alkaline reflux, motility disturbances, Heliobacter pylori gastritis, or cholelithiasis * Pregnant or lactating women, or sexually active women of child-bearing potential unless using effective contraception