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Heartburn Medications
Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) antacids, which you can buy without a prescription, or prescription medications that stop acid production or help the muscles that empty your stomach.
Antacids
- Alka Seltzer
- Maalox
- Mylanta
- Pepto Bismol
- Rolaids
- Riopan
These are usually the first drugs recommended to relieve heartburn and other mild * gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms.
Many brands on the market use different combinations of three basic salts - magnesium, calcium, and aluminum - with hydroxide or bicarbonate ions to neutralize the acid in your stomach.
Antacids have side effects. Magnesium salt can lead to diarrhea, and aluminum salts can cause constipation. Aluminum and magnesium salts are often combined in a single product to balance these effects.
Calcium Carbonate Antacids
- Tums
- Titralac
- Alka-2 which can also be a supplemental source of calcium, also can cause constipation as well.
Foaming Agents
- Gaviscon - It works by covering your stomach contents with foam to prevent reflux. These drugs may help those who have no damage to the esophagus.
H2 Blockers
- Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)
- Famotidine (Pepcid AC)
- Nizatidine (Axid AR)
- Ranitidine (Zantac 75)
These all impede acid production. They are available in prescription strength and over-the-counter. These drugs provide short term relief, but over-the-counter H2 blockers should not be used for more than a few weeks at a time. They are effective for about half of those who have GERD symptoms. Many people benefit from taking H2 blockers at bedtime in combination with a proton pump inhibitor.
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
-
Nexium (brand name) Esomeprazole (chemical name) Pronunciation - ess-oh-MEP-ra-zole
-
Prilosec (brand name) Omeprazole (chemical name) Pronunciation - o-MEP-ra-zole
(Non prescription Prilosec OTC 20mg delayed release tablets sold over counter for frequent heartburn only)
-
Prevacid (brand name) Lansoprazole (chemical name) Pronunciation - lan-SOE-pra-zole
-
Protonix (brand name) Pantoprazole (chemical name) Pronunciation - pan-toe-pra-zole
-
Aciphex (brand name) Rabeprazole (chemical name) Pronunciation - rab-ep-pra-zole
These are all available by prescription. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are more effective than H2 blockers and can relieve symptoms in almost everyone who has GERD.
Prokinetics
These are drugs that help strengthen the sphincter and makes the stomach empty faster.
- Bethanechol (Urecholine)
- Metoclopramide (Reglan) (metoclopramide also improves muscle action in the digestive tract)
These drugs have frequent side effects that limit their usefulness.
Because drugs work in different ways, combinations of drugs may help control symptoms. People who get heartburn after eating may take both antacids and H2 blockers. The antacids work first to neutralize the acid in the stomach, while the H2 blockers act on acid production. By the time the antacid stops working, the H2 blocker will have stopped acid production. Your doctor is the best source of information on how to use medications for heartburn and/or GERD.
Definitions For This Page - In Alphabetical Order
* Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Pronounced - GAH-stroh-eh-SAW-fuh-JEE-ul REE-fluks duh-zeez
GERD) is the flow of the stomach's contents back up into the esophagus. Happens when the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach, the lower esophageal sphincter, is weak or relaxes when it shouldn't. May cause esophagitis. Also called esophageal reflux or reflux esophagitis. More about Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
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