Contents:
- Medical Video: How To Stop Acid Reflux | How To Treat Acid Reflux (2018)
- Over-the-counter stomach acid drugs
- 1. Antacids
- 2. H-2 receptor blockers
- 3. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
- Medicines for stomach acid that need a doctor's prescription
- 1. H-2 receptor blockers by prescription
- 2. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) with recipes
- 3. The medicine for strengthening the lower esophageal sphincter
- Which stomach acid medicine is good to drink, with or without a prescription?
Medical Video: How To Stop Acid Reflux | How To Treat Acid Reflux (2018)
Most people with stomach acid disease, likegastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) take certain drugs to reduce symptoms. Gastric acid drugs are relied upon to reduce symptoms such as heartburn and treat esophageal disorders due to increased stomach acid. Actually, stomach acid medicine consists of two types, namely over the counter (OTC) or without prescription and medication that requires a special prescription from a doctor. However, still consult with your doctor to get the best stomach acid medicine according to your condition.
Over-the-counter stomach acid drugs
OTC medicine (over the counter), or what is known as over-the-counter medicine is a type of medicine that is sold without a special prescription from a doctor. This type of medication is usually easily found in pharmacies or even in stalls.
There are three types of over-the-counter drugs that can be used to treat stomach acid, including:
1. Antacids
Antacids are one of the over-the-counter drugs used to neutralize stomach acid. Some antacids contain simethicone, which is a substance that helps get rid of excess gas in the body.
Examples of antacid drugs are Mylanta®, Malox®, Rolaids®, Gaviscon®, Gelusil®, and Tums®. However, taking antacid drugs alone cannot cure an inflamed throat due to increased stomach acid.
Overuse of antacid drugs can cause side effects such as constipation, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and sometimes kidney problems. This is why, be sure to always follow the instructions on the drug label.
2. H-2 receptor blockers
Histamine-2 (H-2) receptor blockers are used to reduce stomach acid production. Examples of this type of drug are cimetidine (Tagamet®), nizatidine (Axid AR®), ranitidine (Zantac®), and famotidine (Pepcid®). The effect of H2 receptor blockers is not as fast as antacids but this drug can reduce stomach acid production for up to 12 hours.
3. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the over-the-counter drugs that are more powerful against gastric acid than antacids and H2 receptor blockers. Examples of this type of drug are omeprazole (Prilosec®) and lansoprazole (Prevacid 24 HR®).
According to the Food and Drug Administration, you can ask the pharmacist how to drink each of these drugs. Avoid taking these drugs outside of the advice given. If symptoms of stomach acid do not change after two weeks of taking over-the-counter drugs, immediately consult your doctor.
Medicines for stomach acid that need a doctor's prescription
If your stomach acid does not heal with over-the-counter drugs, your doctor may prescribe a more potent medication to treat stomach acid. Acid reflux drugs from doctors are usually not much different from drugs sold on the market, except drugs that require higher doses.
Examples of stomach acid drugs that require a doctor's prescription are as follows:
1. H-2 receptor blockers by prescription
H-2 receptor blockers that use recipes generally can relieve heartburn and treat increased stomach acid. Examples are famotidine (Pepcid®), nizatidine (Axid®), cimetidine (Tagamet HB200®), and ranitidine (Zantac®).
The antihistamine content in drugs can reduce acid production, especially after eating. Therefore, this drug should be taken 30 minutes before eating. This medicine can also be taken before bed to suppress acid production at night.
These drugs are generally well tolerated. But be careful, if consumed in the long term can cause an increased risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Other side effects of using this drug can cause headaches, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, sore throat, runny nose, and dizziness.
2. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) with recipes
Examples of proton pump inhibitors that need to be prescribed are esomeprazole (Nexium®), lansoprazole (Prevacid®), omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid®), pantoprazole (Protonix®), rabeprazole (Aciphex®), and dexlansoprazole (Dexilant®).
This medicine is best taken one hour before eating. Although these drugs are generally well tolerated, they can also cause diarrhea, headaches, nausea, and vitamin B12 deficiency.
3. The medicine for strengthening the lower esophageal sphincter
Baclofen (Lioresal®) is a muscle stretcher and antispastic drug used to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter. However, bacoflen side effects can cause fatigue or nausea.
Which stomach acid medicine is good to drink, with or without a prescription?
You may still be confused, which drug is good for treating your stomach acid. This depends on how often and severely your stomach acid symptoms. If your stomach acid symptoms are not too frequent or severe, a prescription drug might help reduce your stomach acid symptoms.
However, if you have used stomach acid drugs that are over-the-counter for more than two weeks and have no symptoms, immediately consult a doctor. Because, this can make the symptoms even worse and worse if not treated immediately.
Some people may use a combination of over-the-counter drugs with acid reflux drugs from a doctor. However, this is not good to do.
Because, combining these two types of drugs can cause certain side effects, such as diarrhea or constipation. Always consult with your doctor to get the best medicine to treat your stomach acid.
