Common Medications
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When you swallow food, it gets pushed down from your mouth into the esophagus (food pipe) and then into your stomach. Glands in the lining of the stomach make enzymes and acid to digest and break down the food. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. This backflow of acid is called acid reflux and it can irritate the lining of the esophagus, causing heartburn. Heartburn is the most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
In healthy individuals, a sphincter (band of muscle) at the lower end of the esophagus prevents the backflow of stomach contents. In people with GERD, the sphincter becomes weak or abnormally relaxed, and there is a constant backwash of acid into the esophagus, causing it to become irritated.
It is not unusual for people to experience acid reflux occasionally. A diagnosis of GERD is made if there are mild symptoms of acid reflux a couple of times a week or moderate to severe symptoms once per week or more. Besides a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn), other GERD symptoms include chest pain, problems swallowing, regurgitation of sour liquid, and a sensation of a lump in the throat. Nighttime GERD can cause sleep disruption, cough, laryngitis, and worsening asthma.
It is estimated that between 18 to 27% of people in the United States have gastroesophageal reflux disease. Symptoms of GERD can sometimes be relieved by dietary and lifestyle modifications. Effective medications are also available. Surgery may be recommended in some cases.
Medications for Heartburn and GERD
H2 Blockers: Medications like cimetidine (Tagamet) and famotidine (Pepcid) work by blocking histamine, a chemical that stimulates stomach acid production. These GERD and heartburn medications are best taken 30 minutes before a meal or at bedtime to suppress nighttime acid reflux. They are not particularly useful for healing esophagitis (inflammation of the food pipe caused by GERD). In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pulled a previously commonly used H2 blocker from the market – all prescription and OTC formulations of ranitidine (Zantac) were recalled because of the potential of this drug to cause cancer.
Proton Pump Inhibitors: PPIs are a class of drugs that can block stomach acid production more efficiently and for a longer duration than H2 blockers. They also have an added advantage in that they help to protect the esophagus from acid and heal inflammation. Examples include esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), pantoprazole (Protonix), omeprazole (Zegerid, Prilosec), and rabeprazole (Aciphex). PPIs are to be taken one hour before meals.
Prokinetic agents like metoclopramide (Reglan) are sometimes used to treat GERD. They work by improving the motility of the esophagus, increasing the pressure of the esophageal sphincter muscle to reduce acid reflux, and accelerating gastric (stomach) emptying.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Heartburn and GERD
Several antacids are available over the counter to treat symptoms of GERD like heartburn. These medications work by neutralizing the stomach acid. Examples include magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia), bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), calcium carbonate (Tums, Alka-Seltzer), Gelusil, Gaviscon, Mylanta, Maalox, and Rolaids. For faster relief, it is recommended to follow package instructions.
OTC antacids are safe for most people. However, you should avoid overusing antacids as they can cause side effects like constipation, diarrhea, change in stool color, and stomach cramps. If you have certain medical conditions like heart failure or kidney failure, it is recommended that you speak to a doctor before taking antacids.
In addition to antacids, some H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors (acid reducers) are also available over the counter. Examples include Pepcid AC, Tagamet HB, Prilosec OTC, Prevacid 24HR, and Nexium 24HR. If your symptoms of heartburn do not improve after 1-2 weeks of OTC therapy, you should see a doctor.
Common Side Effects of Heartburn and GERD Medications
H2 blockers can cause side effects like headache, stomachache, nausea, diarrhea, gas, runny nose, sore throat, and dizziness.
Common side effects of proton pump inhibitors include headache, diarrhea, stomachache, constipation, nausea, bloating, and gas.
Potential side effects of prokinetic agents include dizziness, drowsiness, restlessness, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Common Questions
What can I do to relieve heartburn and GERD symptoms without medication?
You can try and identify specific foods, for example, coffee, spicy foods, or fizzy drinks, that make your symptoms worse, and avoid such foods. Losing weight can help GERD symptoms by relieving the pressure on the sphincter muscle that controls the lower end of the food pipe. Stopping smoking and drinking less alcohol are also worth trying if you suffer from acid reflux. If you wake up at night with heartburn, avoid eating late in the evening and allow a minimum of 3 hours between your last meal and bedtime. Sleeping with the upper body raised or lying on your left side may also relieve nighttime GERD.
What happens if heartburn and GERD are not treated?
Without treatment, the stomach acid can damage the lower end of the esophagus and cause scar tissue to form, which can narrow the food pipe and cause swallowing problems. Reflux of stomach acid can also cause ulceration of the lower esophagus, leading to bleeding and pain with swallowing. Damage to the esophagus from stomach acid is associated with precancerous changes in the food pipe that are called Barrett’s esophagus. The presence of these changes is associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer.
Can I get a discount on heartburn and GERD medications with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including heartburn and GERD medicines—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor or the medication is available over the counter.
References:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/symptoms-causes/syc-20361940
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441938/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279252/
4. https://www.ajmc.com/view/fda-recalls-all-ranitidine-products-zantac-citing-increased-risk-of-cancer
5. https://www.medscape.com/answers/176595-52197/which-medications-in-the-drug-class-prokinetics-are-used-in-the-treatment-of-gastroesophageal-reflux-disease
Common Heartburn and GERD Health Medications
Heartburn and GERD
Get the latest information on common prescription and over-the-counter heartburn and GERD drugs.
When you swallow food, it gets pushed down from your mouth into the esophagus (food pipe) and then into your stomach. Glands in the lining of the stomach make enzymes and acid to digest and break down the food. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. This backflow of acid is called acid reflux and it can irritate the lining of the esophagus, causing heartburn. Heartburn is the most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
In healthy individuals, a sphincter (band of muscle) at the lower end of the esophagus prevents the backflow of stomach contents. In people with GERD, the sphincter becomes weak or abnormally relaxed, and there is a constant backwash of acid into the esophagus, causing it to become irritated.
It is not unusual for people to experience acid reflux occasionally. A diagnosis of GERD is made if there are mild symptoms of acid reflux a couple of times a week or moderate to severe symptoms once per week or more. Besides a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn), other GERD symptoms include chest pain, problems swallowing, regurgitation of sour liquid, and a sensation of a lump in the throat. Nighttime GERD can cause sleep disruption, cough, laryngitis, and worsening asthma.
It is estimated that between 18 to 27% of people in the United States have gastroesophageal reflux disease. Symptoms of GERD can sometimes be relieved by dietary and lifestyle modifications. Effective medications are also available. Surgery may be recommended in some cases.
Medications for Heartburn and GERD
H2 Blockers: Medications like cimetidine (Tagamet) and famotidine (Pepcid) work by blocking histamine, a chemical that stimulates stomach acid production. These GERD and heartburn medications are best taken 30 minutes before a meal or at bedtime to suppress nighttime acid reflux. They are not particularly useful for healing esophagitis (inflammation of the food pipe caused by GERD). In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pulled a previously commonly used H2 blocker from the market – all prescription and OTC formulations of ranitidine (Zantac) were recalled because of the potential of this drug to cause cancer.
Proton Pump Inhibitors: PPIs are a class of drugs that can block stomach acid production more efficiently and for a longer duration than H2 blockers. They also have an added advantage in that they help to protect the esophagus from acid and heal inflammation. Examples include esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), pantoprazole (Protonix), omeprazole (Zegerid, Prilosec), and rabeprazole (Aciphex). PPIs are to be taken one hour before meals.
Prokinetic agents like metoclopramide (Reglan) are sometimes used to treat GERD. They work by improving the motility of the esophagus, increasing the pressure of the esophageal sphincter muscle to reduce acid reflux, and accelerating gastric (stomach) emptying.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Heartburn and GERD
Several antacids are available over the counter to treat symptoms of GERD like heartburn. These medications work by neutralizing the stomach acid. Examples include magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia), bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), calcium carbonate (Tums, Alka-Seltzer), Gelusil, Gaviscon, Mylanta, Maalox, and Rolaids. For faster relief, it is recommended to follow package instructions.
OTC antacids are safe for most people. However, you should avoid overusing antacids as they can cause side effects like constipation, diarrhea, change in stool color, and stomach cramps. If you have certain medical conditions like heart failure or kidney failure, it is recommended that you speak to a doctor before taking antacids.
In addition to antacids, some H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors (acid reducers) are also available over the counter. Examples include Pepcid AC, Tagamet HB, Prilosec OTC, Prevacid 24HR, and Nexium 24HR. If your symptoms of heartburn do not improve after 1-2 weeks of OTC therapy, you should see a doctor.
Common Side Effects of Heartburn and GERD Medications
H2 blockers can cause side effects like headache, stomachache, nausea, diarrhea, gas, runny nose, sore throat, and dizziness.
Common side effects of proton pump inhibitors include headache, diarrhea, stomachache, constipation, nausea, bloating, and gas.
Potential side effects of prokinetic agents include dizziness, drowsiness, restlessness, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Common Questions
What can I do to relieve heartburn and GERD symptoms without medication?
You can try and identify specific foods, for example, coffee, spicy foods, or fizzy drinks, that make your symptoms worse, and avoid such foods. Losing weight can help GERD symptoms by relieving the pressure on the sphincter muscle that controls the lower end of the food pipe. Stopping smoking and drinking less alcohol are also worth trying if you suffer from acid reflux. If you wake up at night with heartburn, avoid eating late in the evening and allow a minimum of 3 hours between your last meal and bedtime. Sleeping with the upper body raised or lying on your left side may also relieve nighttime GERD.
What happens if heartburn and GERD are not treated?
Without treatment, the stomach acid can damage the lower end of the esophagus and cause scar tissue to form, which can narrow the food pipe and cause swallowing problems. Reflux of stomach acid can also cause ulceration of the lower esophagus, leading to bleeding and pain with swallowing. Damage to the esophagus from stomach acid is associated with precancerous changes in the food pipe that are called Barrett’s esophagus. The presence of these changes is associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer.
Can I get a discount on heartburn and GERD medications with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including heartburn and GERD medicines—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor or the medication is available over the counter.
References:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/symptoms-causes/syc-20361940
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441938/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279252/
4. https://www.ajmc.com/view/fda-recalls-all-ranitidine-products-zantac-citing-increased-risk-of-cancer
5. https://www.medscape.com/answers/176595-52197/which-medications-in-the-drug-class-prokinetics-are-used-in-the-treatment-of-gastroesophageal-reflux-disease
Common Heartburn and GERD Health Medications
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