Acid Reflux Medications - By: George Bedlion

Acid reflux is a common problem among Americans, causing symptoms including heartburn, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, dry cough and a feeling that you have a lump in your throat. Acid reflux can be a symptom of the more serious gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. While lifestyle remedies are the first step in treating acid reflux or GERD, some medications are often used to help prevent and treat the symptoms of acid reflux.

Over-the-counter medications are usually tried before prescription medications in the treatment of acid reflux. Three types of OTC medications may help. These include medications called proton pump inhibitors, which help heal the esophagus and block the production of acid, antacids, which help neutralize stomach acid, and H-2-receptor blockers, which reduce the production of acid. If one type of medication does not help, you may want to switch to a different type, or your doctor may recommend a combination of medications.

Common Over the Counter Medications:

Antacids for Heartburn

Antacids help by neutralizing stomach acid which in turn alleviates heartburn, acid indigestion, and an stomach upset. The other benefit is that some antacids also containsimethicone which is an ingredient that helps eliminate gas. You have to be aware however as some antacids contain ingredients such as magnesium which can cause diarrhea or aluminum which can cause constipation

Examples of antacids include:

Alka-Seltzer
Alka-2, Surpass Gum, Titralac, Tums
Milk of Magnesia
Alternagel, Amphojel
Gaviscon, Gelusil, Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids
Pepto-Bismol
Acid Reducers for Heartburn

H2 blockers that are available over the counter include:

Axid AR
Pepcid AC
Tagamet HB
Zantac 75
The FDA approved the proton pump inhibitors- Prevacid 24HR, Prilosec OTC, and Zegerid OTC for over-the-counter usage for heartburn. These drugs are available in prescription strength. It’s important to take these drugs according to the directions on the package or as advised by your doctor.

Doctors may prescribe stronger medications for those who do not get relief from OTC medications. If you need to use OTC medications more than twice a week, you may need these prescription medications. Options include stronger versions of proton pump inhibitors and H-2-receptor blockers, as well as medications called prokinetic agents, which help make the lower esophageal sphincter muscles stronger and your stomach empty faster, and foaming agents which produce a foam that covers the contents of your stomach to make it harder for them to come back up the esophagus.

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