Omeprazole: Best OTC Heartburn Medication Omeprazole, commonly known as Prilosec, is a PPI that reduces the quantity of food-digesting acid made by the cells within the lining of your stomach. In fact, Prilosec was one of the first and strongest PPIs created to combat acid reflux.
Proton pump inhibitors are very effective in the majority of people who have troublesome heartburn. Examples include omeprazole (e.g. Losec), esomeprazole (e.g. Nexium), rabeprazole (e.g. Pariet), pantoprazole (e.g. Somac) and lansoprazole (e.g. Zoton FasTabs).
Lansoprazole reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes. It's used for indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux and gastroesophageal-reflux-disease (GORD). Lansoprazole is also taken to prevent and treat stomach ulcers.
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.
Gaviscon can be used to treat heartburn (acid reflux) and indigestion. The medicine works by forming a protective layer that floats on top of the contents of your stomach. This stops stomach acid escaping up into your food pipe.
The proton-pump inhibitors esomeprazole (Nexium 24HR), lansoprazole (Prevacid 24HR), and omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) are sold over-the-counter to treat frequent heartburn (two or more times per week) for 14 days. These types of medicines are also available as higher-strength prescriptions.
Gaviscon Regular Strength Tablets has an average rating of 5.8 out of 10 from a total of 5 ratings on Drugs.com. 50% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 50% reported a negative effect. Mylanta has an average rating of 10.0 out of 10 from a total of 2 ratings on Drugs.com.
OTC Nexium contains esomeprazole, the same active ingredient as the prescription version. But the dosages are a bit different. OTC Nexium only comes as a 20 mg capsule and tablet. Prescription Nexium is available as 20 mg and 40 mg capsules and a powder that can be made into an oral liquid by a pharmacist.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
PPIs lower the amount of acid your stomach makes. PPIs are better at treating GERD symptoms than H2 blockers, and they can heal the esophageal lining in most people with GERD. You can buy PPIs over the counter, or your doctor can prescribe one.
The fat in milk can aggravate acid reflux. But nonfat milk can act as a temporary buffer between the stomach lining and acidic stomach contents and provide immediate relief of heartburn symptoms."
Plaintiffs allege drugmaker AstraZeneca knew since the early 2000s that its medication could harm people's kidneys. Despite knowing the dangers, the company marketed Nexium as safe and effective. “Defendants had received numerous case reports of kidney injuries in patients that had ingested Nexium by as early as 2004.
Do not use Nexium 24HR for longer than 14 days unless your healthcare professional directs you to do so. You can repeat a 14-day regimen once every four months.
Gaviscon Advance's extra strength formulation has twice the concentration of sodium alginate - forming a strong and resilient 'raft' in the process. The liquid formulation does not contain sugar or gluten and can be taken during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
Magnesium Oxide
Benefits: Helps relieve indigestion, heartburn and constipation. Additionally, there is some evidence that it may also help prevent migraines but the research on this is limited; consult with a doctor before using it for this purpose.
Mylanta is a nonprescription brand of antacid used to treat symptoms of heartburn, acid reflux, indigestion, and stomach upset.
When your acid reflux symptoms are not being controlled by medication, it's time to see a gastroenterologist to discuss your options, specialists say.
Acid reflux can cause a burning sensation in the throat and chest. Drinking water, low fat milk, and herbal teas may help manage it.
Maybe you're not taking them properly. Maybe you need a stronger dose. Maybe there are some lifestyle changes you need to start making to help your medication work more effectively, or maybe medication simply isn't the answer to your reflux issues.
Heartburn medication may not work for a few reasons. You may not have acid reflux if your heartburn medication is not working. Other causes may include your diet or incorrectly taking the medication.
Gaviscon is available as a tablet or liquid. It can be taken four times daily after meals and at bedtime. Side effects tend to be mild and may include indigestion, nausea, and belching. Gaviscon should be used with caution in people with kidney disease, a peptic ulcer, or trouble swallowing.
When should the medicine start working? Gaviscon should help to stop an reflux after about 30 minutes.