Four types of Heartburn Medicine to Cure Acid Reflux

Acids are produced by the stomach to aid digestion, when these acids go out of the stomach though and backflow to the esophagus, it causes a burning sensation behind the breastbone commonly known as heartburn. Heartburn is treated allopathically or holistically. The allopathic approach mainly focuses on drugs, while the holistic approach use alternative remedies. There are four main types of heartburn medicine most recommended or prescribed:

1.   Antacids- are used to lower down the acidity in the stomach and reducing the amount of acid being secreted thereby lessening the acid being refluxed to the esophagus. Antacids should be taken approximately an hour after meals to ensure that it would last for at least 3 hours, taking the antacid before the meal has a shorter effect of just around 40 to 60 minutes. It primarily has three types, Aluminum carbonate antacids, Calcium carbonate antacids, and Magnesium oxide antacids.

2.   Proton pump inhibitors- usually are prescribed for severe heartburn as they allow the esophagus to heal. It takes time for these kind of medications to work though, sometimes as much as five days.  PPIs are known to have the suffix – prazole , examples are omeprazole, lansoprazole, and rabeprazole. Persons with kidney or liver disorders are contraindicated to take proton pump inhibitors.    Side effects would include nausea, diarrhea and headache. Use of drugs like atazanavir and nelfinavir with PPIs are not advised. When taken, it should be before a meal and should be swallowed whole, not chewed or crushed.           

3. Histamine receptor (H2) blockers- known to have the suffix –tidine, examples are Famotidine, ranitidine and cimetidine. They relieve heartburn by decreasing the     gastric acid secretion. They are also taken several times a day for weeks and they take effect about 30-45 minutes after.  It is available without a prescription but 2 tablets within 24 hours should be the limit, unless your doctor instructs otherwise. Go to a medical professional immediately if you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction after taking the medication.

4.  Prokinetics- are medications that strengthen the muscles of the lower esophageal sphincter or LES.  They enhance gastric motility thus aiding digestion and lessening the chance of a reflux happening.  Examples of Prokinetics include bethanechol and metoclopramide  is a contraindication for the use of metoclopramide and should be use with caution for Parkinson’s disease since it would exacerbate symptoms.

Any heartburn medicine should be taken with care. It does not matter if it can be bought over the counter or prescribed, as a sensible consumer, we should read the drug literature that comes with the medication and ask questions if we are doubtful or worried about the effects, precautions. It is better to be safe than have your condition be much worse because of the medications that you were not supposed to take.