Which reflux medication is best

People tend to tolerate these drugs well. However, in some rare instances, researchers have linked H2 blockers to cases of clinically apparent liver injury. People with renal impairment, those with hepatic impairment, and people over 50 years of age may also develop central nervous system side effects. These side effects include delirium, confusion, hallucinations, and slurred speech. Antacids are able to treat mild heartburn, indigestion, and mild GERD symptoms.

Antacids also inhibit the production of pepsin in the body. Pepsin is an enzyme involved in protein digestion in the stomach. Pepsin works with the hydrochloric acid inside the stomach to create the ideal environment to allow a person to digest food. Although antacids can treat mild symptoms of GERD, a person should not use these drugs to treat more severe symptoms without first discussing this with a healthcare professional.

There are some adverse side effects associated with antacids that vary depending on what the main ingredient is. These side effects include:. In , the Food and Drug Administration FDA released a statement that warned people about the risks involved in taking antacids that contain aspirin. The statement claims that these products come with a risk of serious bleeding that is particularly dangerous for people over 60 years of age.

The risk was also higher in people with a history of stomach ulcers and bleeding issues. PPIs lower the amount of acid the stomach makes. Containing acid-reducing calcium carbonate and gas-busting simethicone, the antacid works well for kids with occasional indigestion like ones who overdo it on the ice cream cake as well as for kids who have more frequent stomach aches.

The tablets are free of gluten, saccharin, alcohol, and artificial flavors. They can be used by kids between the ages of two and Younger kids can take one tablet three times per day, and older kids can take two tablets up to six times per day.

Active Ingredients: Calcium carbonate mg, Simethicone 40 mg Dosage: 1 tablet every 8 hours for kids aged , 2 tablets every 4 hours for kids aged Uses: Bloating, gas, and indigestion in kids. With tummy-friendly ingredients known to reduce stomach acid, relieve constipation, and reduce bloating, this supplement might help you prevent some of your most frequent symptoms—all while letting you reap the benefits of a few superfoods, like turmeric, ginger, and apple cider vinegar.

One other reason you might want to give the natural route a try? If you take other medications contraindicated for use with many common OTC antacids or have experienced constipation with many other treatments, a drug-free option can help you avoid interactions and side effects. Active Ingredients: None Dosage: 2 capsules with meals or as needed Uses: Heartburn and acid indigestion. If your indigestion only pops up once in a while, treat it on the spot with a dose of Pepto Bismol view at Amazon.

Ghouri says there are three main categories of OTC antacids, and which one you use may depend on the severity of your symptoms. If your symptoms are mild and intermittent, opt for a product with bismuth subsalicylate, calcium carbonate, or magnesium hydroxide. If your symptoms are mild but persistent, choose an H2-receptor antagonist like famotidine.

If your symptoms are moderate to severe, you likely need a proton pump inhibitor like omeprazole or esomeprazole. How often do you have symptoms? Ghouri, and there may be side effects. Antacids containing calcium carbonate like TUMS, Pepto Bismol, and some proton pump inhibitors can cause constipation. Talk to your doctor if you think your antacid is making it more difficult for you to have regular bowel movements.

Proton pump inhibitors, in particular, work best when taken before a meal. Chewable antacids, like TUMS, can definitely be taken after eating if you end up with an unexpectedly upset stomach. They can work quickly to relieve symptoms, but you might have better effects from taking them before a meal, too. This is not a fast acting medication and needs to be in your system for at least six to eight weeks before seeing the full effect. Sarah Bradley has been writing health content since —everything from product roundups and illness FAQs to nutrition explainers and the dish on diet trends.

She knows how important it is to receive trustworthy and expert-approved advice about over-the-counter products that manage everyday health conditions, from GI issues and allergies to chronic headaches and joint pain.

Get nutrition tips and advice to make healthy eating easier. The safety of long-term daily usage of a proton pump inhibitor: a literature review. Calcium carbonate. Meta-analysis of the effectiveness of esomeprazole in gastroesophageal reflux disease and Helicobacter pylori infection. J Clin Pharm Ther.

Effect of Zingiber officinale R. Ginger and turmeric ancient spices and modern medicines. Genomics of Tropical Crop Plants. Vol 1. Springer New York; When extra stomach acid backs up into your esophagus through the lower esophageal sphincter a condition known as acid reflux , the discomfort can be intense. If this happens to you only on rare occasions, it may be due to something you ate. For some of us, though, the grinding pain of acid reflux is an everyday occurrence.

If you find yourself in that unlucky group, what kinds of drugs are safe and effective enough to find lasting relief? Part of knowing which drug is right for you hinges on understanding what is causing your heartburn. Indigestion and acid reflux can be caused by food that disagreed with you, lifestyle factors and stress, or larger gastrointestinal issues such as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

Depending on the cause and severity of your symptoms, several different medications may bring relief. For most people, diet and lifestyle changes, such as not eating late at night and avoiding certain foods, can also help reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. Finding the best drug to help fight acid reflux depends on when you need relief. If you are looking for immediate relief from the symptoms of sudden heartburn, taking over-the-counter antacids like Tums or Alka-Seltzer may be your best bet.

For bouts of recurring acid reflux that happen a few days a week, H2 blockers like Pepcid AC can be the answer, though it is not recommended that you take these drugs for more than a couple weeks. To solve longer episodes of recurring heartburn, proton pump inhibitors PPIs are usually recommended. This last class of drugs, including brand names such as Nexium and Prilosec, is typically the most effective for frequent, ongoing heartburn.

As with H2 blockers, though, there is a limit to how long you should regularly take PPIs. To decide which of these three classes of drugs will be the best fit for you, it helps to know more about how they work and when they should be taken to provide the best results. Since many of the most effective drugs are prescription medications, consulting with your healthcare provider is a must if you are trying to solve long-term heartburn. Learn more. Do you deal with heartburn more than twice a week?

You could be dealing with GERD. Learn what causes it, and what treatment options are available. Yoga aids in relaxation throughout the entire body. Relaxing your body, and especially your bowels and intestines, can help you to pass gas. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Over the counter treatments for heartburn GERD. Acid reducers for heartburn. Combining OTC products.

Which OTC works best for heartburn? OTC vs. Talk with your doctor. Read this next. Coffee vs. Tea for GERD. Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.