Over-the-counter
remedies If you experience only occasional, mild
heartburn, you may get relief
from an over-the-counter (OTC) medication and
self-care measures. OTC remedies include: Antacids. Antacids,
such as Maalox, Mylanta, Gelusil, Rolaids and Tums, neutralize stomach acid and
can provide quick relief. But antacids alone won''t heal an inflamed esophagus
damaged by stomach acid. Overuse of some antacids can cause side effects such
as diarrhea or constipation. A liquid antacid will coat your esophagus and help
reduce stomach acid. H-2-receptor blockers. Over-the-counter
H-2-receptor blockers, such as cimetidine (Tagamet HB), famotidine (Pepcid AC),
nizatidine (Axid AR) or ranitidine (Zantac 75), are available
at half the strength of their
prescription versions. Instead of neutralizing
the acid, these
medications reduce the production of acid. They don''t act as
quickly as antacids, but they provide longer relief. Take these medications
before a meal that you think may cause heartburn because it takes them about 30
minutes to work. They''re also effective in reducing reflux at night if taken at
bedtime. H-2-receptor blockers can cause infrequent side effects, including
bowel changes, dry mouth, dizziness or drowsiness. In rare instances they can
also react dangerously with other medications. Proton pump inhibitors.
These medications block acid production and allow time for damaged esophageal
tissue to heal. Omeprazole (Prilosec) was previously available only by
prescription, but now is available in an over-the-counter form for short-term
treatment of heartburn. Do not use OTC omeprazole long term unless prescribed
by your doctor. See your doctor to make sure that you don''t have any
complications of GERD. Prescription-strength medications, If
you have frequent and persistent heartburn leading to an inflamed esophagus, you''ll
likely need prescription-strength medication. It''s important that you take
these medications correctly, and generally 30 minutes before a meal.
Prescription medications can help reduce and eliminate GERD symptoms, as well
as help heal an inflamed esophagus — the result of continual exposure to
stomach acid. The main types of prescription drugs are: Prescription-strength
H-2-receptor blockers. These significantly reduce acid production and
have few side effects. They include prescription-strength Axid, Pepcid, Tagamet
and Zantac. Prescription-strength proton pump inhibitors.
These are long-acting and are the most effective medications for suppressing
acid production. They''re safe and have few side effects for long-term
treatment. To prevent possible side effects, such as diarrhea or headaches,
your doctor will likely prescribe the lowest effective dose.
Prescription-strength proton pump inhibitors include esomeprazole, lansoprazole
,omeprazole , pantoprazole and
rabeprazole. Prokinetic agents. These don''t reduce acid
production. Instead, they help your stomach empty more rapidly and may help
tighten the valve between the stomach and the esophagus. Because the prokinetic
agents thus far sometimes cause serious side effects, researchers are working
to develop safer versions