Timing for these medications will often depend on which type of antacid you are taking. “As far as antacids that are neutralizers, then those are best taken when you have symptoms,” Dr. Tompson says. Taking those medications as needed works well to relieve symptoms when they start.  “H2 blockers don’t have any particular preferable time of day to take them. It is really the patient's preference,” he adds.  But proton pump inhibitors tend to work best for people when they are consumed in the morning before eating. This is because it halts the production of acid before you consume something that could trigger the reaction. “The proton inhibitors tend to work more efficiently if they are taking them about 30 minutes before breakfast,” Dr. Tompson says. “If you want to maximize the efficiency, then about a half-hour before breakfast is ideal.”