What You Should Know About Acid Reflux Medications (2023)

FAQs

What should the medication for acid reflux consist of? ›

These medications — known as histamine (H-2) blockers — include cimetidine (Tagamet HB), famotidine (Pepcid AC) and nizatidine (Axid AR). H-2 blockers don't act as quickly as antacids, but they provide longer relief and may decrease acid production from the stomach for up to 12 hours.

If your symptoms strike less often, use a fast-acting over-the-counter antacid such as Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, or Tums. Or try an over-the-counter H2 blocker, such as famotidine (Pepcid AC) or ranitidine (Zantac 75). They tend to cause fewer side effects and are typically cheaper than PPIs.

Antacids are among the safest drugs for acid reflux and side effects are rare. Depending on the antacid's ingredients, side effects may include diarrhea, constipation, calcium loss and kidney stones.

Recent studies show that overuse of PPIs can be harmful to your health and should not be used long-term. Side effects of proton pump inhibitors include infections, bone fractures and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Research has even connecting extended PPI drug use to increased risk of stomach cancer.

To treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for erosive esophagitis: Adults—20 milligrams (mg) once a day for 4 to 8 weeks. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

If you have reflux, medicine that reduces the stomach acid helps your body heal. It might take 1 to 3 weeks to heal.

Can drinking milk neutralize stomach acid? Yes, drinking a glass of cow's milk can help control acid reflux symptoms and may immediately relieve heartburn. This is because milk can temporarily buffer stomach acid.

Is Yogurt good for acid reflux? ›

Is yogurt a good choice? Yogurt that is not too sour is also excellent for acid reflux, because of the probiotics that help normalize bowel function. Yogurt also provides protein, and soothes stomach discomfort, often providing a cooling sensation.

Slowly taper off the PPI over 2-4 weeks (the higher the dose, the longer the taper). While the taper is being completed, use the following for bridge therapy to reduce the symptoms of rebound hyperacidity. Encourage regular aerobic exercise. Encourage a relaxation technique such as deep breathing.

“To prevent recurrence and further damage to the esophagus, people may have to stay on the drugs for years, even for life.” The risks of repeated episodes of GERD are clearly undesirable; but, are there any risks to staying on GERD medications over the long-term? Simply put, yes.

The most common side effects reported include headache, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Reports of more serious side effects include kidney disease, fractures, infections and vitamin deficiencies, but these are very rare and are generally associated with long-term use (using these products for more than a year).

Depending on your condition or the reason you're taking omeprazole, you may only need it for a few weeks or months. Sometimes, you might need to take it for longer, even for many years.

A great tell-tale sign that your reflux medication isn't working properly is your voice. If you're noticing that in the morning your voice is scratchy and you have to clear your throat frequently, you're either catching a cold or acid is getting into your lungs from reflux.

After you're healed, you might be able to taper off the medication without having your symptoms return. While you're treating GERD, your symptoms may become less frequent and severe. If your symptoms go away entirely and you're able to stop treatment, your GERD is cured.

Water. In general, drinking water can help balance the pH of a particularly acidic meal, which may help to lower the risk of acid reflux. Studies show that drinking mineral water with a high hydrogen carbonate content can help to alleviate the frequency and severity of acid reflux.

The most common cause is food that's acidic or high in fat—like citrus fruits, tomatoes, onions, chocolate, coffee, cheese, and peppermint. Spicy foods or large meals can also be the root of distress. Other sources of heartburn include aspirin or ibuprofen, as well as some sedatives and blood pressure medications.

Is peanut butter good for acid reflux? ›

You should avoid chunky peanut butter, as it's more likely to cause symptoms of acid reflux. Smooth peanut butter is often a part of esophageal soft diets. Your doctor may recommend this diet if you have esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophagus. Acid reflux is often a symptom of esophagitis.

This may be because you have been misdiagnosed with GERD, your diet is causing symptoms, or you are taking your medication incorrectly. If PPIs aren't treating your symptoms, work with your healthcare provider to figure out why they aren't working and what alternative treatments you can try.

But taking too many of them could lead to an unwanted side effect. According to express.co.uk, vitamin supplements may cause heartburn in some people. The pills could irritate the oesophagus, or allow some stomach acid to creep back up the oesophagus when it enters the stomach, said Dr David Katz.

Gaviscon+ is the only antacid product that provides fast-acting, long-lasting heartburn relief. It quickly neutralizes stomach acid and helps keep acid down for hours. +Amongst national brands; *when used as directed.

Water. Most notably, mineral water with an alkaline pH – this may reduce the acidity of the stomach and help to denature the enzyme pepsin. It's this digestive enzyme that is thought to be responsible for much of the damage associated with reflux.

carrot juice. aloe vera juice. cabbage juice. freshly juiced drinks made with less acidic foods, such as beets, watermelon, spinach, cucumber, or pear.

Bananas for stomach acid are considered safe because they have alkaline (alkaline) properties. In addition, this fruit is also considered to help balance the acid in the stomach so that symptoms of acid reflux or GERD can be prevented.

Milk and dairy products are high in fat and tend to make heartburn worse. When you have frequent GERD symptoms, like heartburn, eating high-fat dairy products like cheese can aggravate your symptoms. Furthermore, cold dairy products like ice cream can actually numb and inhibit the lower esophageal sphincter's function.

Oatmeal has been a whole-grain breakfast favorite for generations. It is a good source of fiber, so it keeps you feeling full and promotes regularity. Oats also absorb stomach acid and reduce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). For something sweet, top your oatmeal with bananas, apples or pears.

What are the worst symptoms of acid reflux? ›

Call your doctor right away if you have severe chest pain, bloody or dark stools or emesis (vomit), unexplained weight loss, trouble swallowing or a feeling that food is trapped, or a sensation of acid refluxed into the windpipe causing shortness of breath, coughing or hoarseness of the voice.

Toast can help decrease nausea and reduce heartburn, but not all toast is the same. Whole wheat bread is more healthful than white bread but is high in fiber and can be difficult for some people to eat. If a person has trouble digesting whole wheat toast, the first step is to try it plain without butter.

GERD happens when gastric acid from your stomach backs up into your food pipe (esophagus). A muscle at the bottom of the esophagus opens to let food from the bottom of the esophagus into the stomach. And it closes to keep food in the stomach. This muscle is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

Drinks such as ginger tea, certain fruit and vegetable juices, and plant-based milks may benefit people experiencing acid reflux and heartburn. Avoiding citrus juices, carbonated beverages, and alcohol can also help to reduce symptom frequency and severity.

One member of their team saw relief from his heartburn symptoms after consuming five milliliters (about one teaspoon) of plain honey. If you don't want to take one teaspoon of honey by itself, you can mix it with a glass of warm water or tea.

8 Foods that make acid reflux worse

Chocolate — Everyone's favorite treat comes with a dark side; chocolate contains caffeine, cocoa, and plant chemicals that can all trigger heartburn. Also, a chemical in cocoa relaxes the LES, making it easier for stomach contents to leak into your esophagus.

So long and short of it, is that peanuts are acid forming. If you have a balanced diet alkaline forming diet, this isn't a problem but if you're like most North Americans and have a highly acidic diet, reducing your intake of peanut butter could be beneficial.

Foods to Eat on an Acid Reflux Diet

Noncitrus fruits: Apples, bananas, blueberries, and strawberries are safe bets.

Regular exercise and stress reduction through relaxation can be helpful for decreasing GERD symptoms. Avoid exercise that can increase GERD symptoms: Exercising right after you eat increases your chance of developing GERD. Very strenuous exercise like cycling, running, and weight lifting can increase GERD.

What can I take instead of omeprazole? ›

In the short term, the isomer arrangement of Nexium means that the drug gets metabolized more slowly. This means that Nexium stays in the body longer, which is why it offers slightly better acid control. Because of the chemical makeup, Nexium is likely to cause fewer potential drug interactions than Prilosec.

Famotidine (Pepcid) and omeprazole (Prilosec) are two medications used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Both medications are effective in helping to manage GERD symptoms. Famotidine kicks in faster, but omeprazole works better and provides longer-lasting relief.

Which Works Better for Heartburn: Pepcid, Tagamet or Protonix? Both PPIs (Protonix) and H2 blockers (Pepcid, Tagamet) work by blocking and reducing the amount of stomach acid our body produces. However, randomized controlled trials have shown that PPIs (Protonix) is more effective in treating GERD than H2 blockers.

In conclusion, esomeprazole 40 mg provides more effective acid control than twice the standard dose of omeprazole.

One analysis of four studies found that esomeprazole 40 mg was better than other PPIs (including omeprazole 20 mg) at lowering stomach acid levels in people with GERD.

There are other medications that can be used instead of PPIs in the treatment of conditions like acid reflux. H2 blockers include: Cimetidine (Tagamet) Nizatidine (Axid)

PPI have minimal side effects and few slight drug interactions and are considered safe for long term treatment. Pantoprazole is significantly effective both for acute and long-term treatment with excellent control of relapse and symptoms. It is well tolerated even for long-term therapy and its tolerability is optimal.

Calcium Carbonate [CaCO3] – Calcium Carbonate (chalk) is the most potent usable antacid. It can completely neutralize stomach acid.

Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant) is the newest PPI with the advantage that you can take it with or without food. It also tends to cause fewer abdominal side effects.

Is it OK to take Pepcid every day? ›

Can I take famotidine complete (Pepcid Complete) every day? Famotidine complete (Pepcid Complete) shouldn't be taken as a daily preventative medication like some other heartburn medications, because the effects of antacids are only temporary and last about 30 to 60 minutes.

How to use Pepcid AC. Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once or twice daily. If you are taking this medication once daily, it is usually taken right before bedtime. The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

It's best to avoid foods that seem to make your symptoms worse, such as rich, spicy and fatty foods. It also helps to cut down on caffeinated drinks, such as tea, coffee and cola, as well as alcohol. Alcohol does not affect the way pantoprazole works.

Gaviscon+ is the only antacid product that provides fast-acting, long-lasting heartburn relief. It quickly neutralizes stomach acid and helps keep acid down for hours.

You're not taking your acid reflux medication correctly (you're either taking the wrong dose, taking the medicine at the wrong time, or missing doses). Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure how to take your GERD medication. You're taking over-the-counter antacids and need something stronger.

Pantoprazole can cause dizziness, joint pain, dry mouth, and blurred vision. Omeprazole has been associated with diarrhea related to Clostridium difficile (C. diff), an infection that causes watery diarrhea accompanied by fever and stomach cramping.