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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffMany over-the-counter medications are available to relieve the pain of heartburn. Options include:
- Antacids that neutralize stomach acid. Antacids, such as Maalox, Mylanta, Gelusil, Rolaids and Tums, may provide quick relief.
- Medications to reduce acid production. Called H-2-receptor blockers, these medications include cimetidine (Tagamet HB), famotidine (Pepcid AC), nizatidine (Axid AR) or ranitidine (Zantac 75). H-2-receptor blockers don't act as quickly as antacids, but they provide longer relief.
- Medications that control acid and heal the esophagus. Proton pump inhibitors block acid production and allow time for damaged esophageal tissue to heal. Proton pump inhibitors available over-the-counter include lansoprazole (Prevacid 24 HR) and omeprazole (Prilosec OTC).
Read and follow the instructions on over-the-counter medications. If you find over-the-counter treatments don't work or you rely on them often, make an appointment with your doctor.
- Heart burn. American Gastroenterological Society. http://www.gastro.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=848. Accessed April 17, 2009.
- Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:1232.
- Eat right to avoid heartburn. American Dietetic Association. http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/home_18578_ENU_HTML.htm. Accessed April 23, 2009.
- Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006:115.
- Lee RA. Anxiety. In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/133303323-7/0/1494/0.html. Accessed April 23, 2009.
