Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of pharmaceutically acceptable zinc salts, in particular, zinc chloride and zinc acetate, alone or optionally, in combinations with one or more of a protein pump inhibitor (PPI), H2 blocker, anti-H. pylori antibiotic/antimicrobial, cytoprotective agent or a combination agent as otherwise described herein for providing fast action with optional long duration effect in reducing gastric acid secretion, including acid secretion in the fundus (by inhibiting vacuolar H+-ATPase or H+/K+-ATPase) and upper body region of the stomach (by inhibiting H+/K+-ATPase), thus raising the pH of gastric juices in rapid fashion and decreasing the duration of stomach acid release during a secretagogue phase. This method is also directed to treating conditions including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZE disease), ulcer disease, and gastric cancer, as well as preventing or reducing the likelihood of ulcer disease.