Some medications also help protect the esophagus from damage due to prolonged acid exposure, improving overall digestive health.
Antacids
Antacidsare OTC medications that relieve heartburn, indigestion, or an upset stomach.
They work to reduce stomach acid, which helps easeacid reflux symptoms.
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Antacids provide quick but short-lived relief.
Liquid dosage relieves symptoms faster than tablets.
Antacids can cause side effects such as constipation and diarrhea.
Histamine Antagonists
Histamine-2 (H2) blockers, also called H2-receptor antagonists, are another OTC acid reflux medication.
They work by binding to histamine receptors in the stomach.
Histamine is a compound present in the body that stimulates stomach acid production.
Typically, H2 blockers start working within 30 to 90 minutes and provide relief for several hours.
Take your dose with the day’s first meal.
Call your healthcare provider if your symptoms do not improve after two weeks.
Side effects of H2 blockers are rare but can include diarrhea, dizziness, rashes, or headaches.
They reduce the amount of acid the glands in the stomach lining produce.
OTC PPIs take one to four days to show therapeutic effects.
Combination Drugs
Sometimes, taking a single medicine may not relieve reflux symptoms.
If symptoms persist, your healthcare provider may prescribe more than one medication to treat them.
Some combinations of drugs are available under a brand name in the market.
For example:
5.
Prokinetic Drugs
Another class of prescription drugs, prokinetic agents, are prescribed to people with severe acid reflux.
They are most often prescribed when other treatments do not work.
The LES is a muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that prevents stomach contents from rising back up.
These drugs also speed up food movement through the GI tract.
It is taken four times a day, 30 minutes before each meal and at bedtime.
Potential side effects of Reglan may include:
Can You Take Acid Reflux Medication Every Day?
It’s not recommended to take acid reflux medications every day without your healthcare provider’s approval.
Persistent or severe symptoms warrant seeking guidance from a healthcare professional.
They may prescribe medications, like PPIs, if your symptoms don’t improve.
For short-term relief, taking acid reflux medications daily is generally safe for a few weeks at a time.
Some research has suggested that long-term use of these medications can cause negative health consequences.
However, the evidence for this is mixed, and research is ongoing.
Which One Works Best?
OTC medicines can relieve your symptoms to varying degrees.
They are the first-line choice for mild symptoms.
The dosage of the medicine depends on the severity of the symptoms.
PPIs are sometimes better at treating acid reflux symptoms than H2 blockers.
They are considered more effective at healing the esophageal lining to relieve these symptoms.
Generic OTC drugs go through the same FDA testing for safety and efficacy as the well-known brand-name versions.
It can be helpful to think of the categories listed in this article in a stepwise manner.
OTC antacids are typically first-line and used as needed for minor cases.
PPIs are next and are better used for consistent reflux.
Symptoms that are severe or last more than a few weeks warrant a call to your provider.
Summary
Several OTC and prescription medications are available for controlling acid reflux.
OTC medications such as antacids, H2 histamine blockers, and PPIs are quite effective in improving mild symptoms.
However, these drugs do not always lead to the desired results.
Talk to your healthcare provider if your symptoms persist for over two weeks.
For severe forms of acid reflux, such as GERD, your provider will prescribe a more potent medication.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Over-the-counter (OTC) heartburn treatment.
DailyMed.Label: Prilosec OTC- omeprazole magnesium tablet, delayed release.
DailyMed.Label: Zegerid- omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate powder, for suspension.
DailyMed.Label: Pepcid Complete- famotidine, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide tablet, chewable.
DailyMed.Label: Reglan- metoclopramide hydrochloride tablet.
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doi:10.7759/cureus.52773
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GER and GERD.
FDA.Generic drugs: questions and answers.
