Over-the-counter and prescription medications can help relieve heartburn symptoms. These medications include antacids, acid reducers, histamine-2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors.
The main goal of treatment for heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is to improve your symptoms by reducing stomach acidity and the production of stomach acid. This can help manage or prevent symptoms like a burning sensation in the esophagus and stomach pain.
Early treatment for GERD can also help prevent complications, such as ulcers.
This article will review the treatment options available for treating heartburn and GERD and their potential side effects.
Antacids
Photography by D3sign/Getty Images
Antacids are typically an option for people who have mild heartburn or GERD symptoms. Antacids are available as over-the-counter (OTC) medications. They work by neutralizing stomach acid.
While OTC antacids do not require a prescription, they can have adverse effects, particularly in people with certain conditions. Consider talking with a doctor or healthcare professional before taking OTC antacids.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine-2 (H2) blockers are acid reducers available as OTC medications that can reduce the production of acid in the stomach.
H2 blockers work faster than PPIs and are more suitable for milder and occasional cases of heartburn and GERD. H2 blockers can help heal the esophagus by decreasing the production of stomach acid and reducing the risk of acid reflux.
Doctors may recommend taking OTC PPIs to treat more frequent cases of heartburn. PPIs are not intended to give immediate relief from heartburn, as they may take a few days before providing full effect. OTC PPIs are only suitable for a 14-day course of treatment that people can repeat up to three times per year.
OTC PPIs are typically more effective than H2 blockers in the long-term management of heartburn and GERD. OTC PPI medications may include:
Another H2 blocker, ranitidine (Zantac), was a previous treatment option, but the FDA issued a recall in 2020 due to the presence of impurities in the drug.
Free prescription coupons
Seriously … free. Explore prices that beat the competition 70% of the time.
If you need help covering the cost of medications for GERD, Optum Perks free Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
Prescription PPIs
Doctors may prescribe PPIs to treat several digestive conditions, including GERD. PPIs reduce the production of stomach acid, reducing the risk of reflux.
Doctors typically recommend prescription PPIs instead of OTC PPIs to treat more severe cases of GERD and help heal the esophagus if there is inflammation due to acid reflux.
PPIs are typically prescribed for treating GERD long term. Prescription PPIs may include:
PPIs are typically safe. However, people may experience side effects such as:
headache
diarrhea
upset stomach
increased risk of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection — up to 2 times higher than for people who do not take PPIs
Other heartburn treatment options
Doctors may recommend some lifestyle changes that may help you improve your acid reflux and manage heartburn or GERD. These may include:
maintaining a healthy weight, as having overweight or obesity increases the risk of GERD
elevating your head using extra pillows when sleeping
quitting smoking
eating a balanced and healthy diet
It is best for people with GERD to avoid eating foods or drinking beverages such as:
high fat or deep-fried foods
acidic foods, like tomatoes and citrus fruits
mint
spicy foods
chocolate
alcoholic beverages
coffee or drinks containing caffeine
In some severe cases of GERD, if medications do not provide any improvement to your health conditions, doctors may recommend surgery. Your doctor will review all of your available treatment options and the benefits and risks of each.
Summary
OTC and prescription medications can help manage or prevent symptoms of GERD. Antacids and acid reducers are medications that can help lower and neutralize the levels of acid in the stomach, improving mild cases of heartburn and GERD.
In more severe cases of acid reflux and GERD, doctors may prescribe PPIs and H2 blockers. Lifestyle changes, including eating fewer foods that can trigger stomach acidity, can also help improve your symptoms.
If medications and lifestyle changes do not improve your symptoms, doctors may recommend undergoing surgery.
