There are several over-the-counter and prescription medications available to help treat acid reflux, depending on the severity of your symptoms.
Over-the-counter options include:
- Antacids: Antacids neutralize stomach acids, and provide quick relief for the symptoms of GERD. Antacids will not heal an inflamed esophagus, however, and overuse can cause negative side effects such as diarrhea.
- H-2 receptor blockers: H-2 receptor blockers do not act as quickly as antacids, but provide longer-lasting relief from acid reflux. In addition to reducing symptoms of acid reflux, H-2 receptor blockers can decrease the amount of acid produced in the stomach for up to 12 hours. These drugs are also available at prescription strength with a doctor’s orders.
- Proton pump inhibitors: These medications block acid produced in the stomach and allow time for the tissue in the esophagus to heal. Proton pump inhibitors are stronger acid blockers than H-2 receptor blockers. Prescription-strength proton pump inhibitors may be recommended for chronic acid reflux disease (GERD).
If over-the-counter medications don’t provide enough relief, your doctor may prescribe stronger medications such as:
- Prescription-strength H-2- receptor blockers (such as famotidine)
- Prescription-strength proton pump inhibitors (such as omeprazole and pantoprazole)
- Muscle relaxers: If the muscles of your lower esophageal sphincter are too relaxed, it may allow for the stomach acid to more easily come up into the esophagus. Interestingly, muscle relaxers such as Baclofen can help decrease the frequency of these relaxations.