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Medication Guide for GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is caused by a backflow of food and digestive juices into the esophagus due to the valve between the stomach and the end of the esophagus not closing tightly enough. GERD causes long lasting heartburn and irritation of the esophagus. Over time, the esophagus can develop sores called ulcers and start to narrow. Patients who suffer from GERD can take several different over-the-counter and prescription medications to help ease the symptoms and prevent complications.

  1. Considerations

    • Mild or infrequent GERD symptoms are usually best treated with over-the-counter medications. Prescription medications are needed for more severe symptoms and for patients who use over-the-counter medications for GERD symptoms for longer than two weeks. Some GERD patients need to take medication daily, while others are able to treat symptoms as they occur. Many GERD sufferers need to take medication for a long time, sometimes for life, because symptoms tend to come back if medication is stopped.

    Antacids

    • Over-the-counter antacids, such as Rolaids, Mylanta or Tums, are usually one of the first medications doctors recommend for GERD patients to control symptoms. Antacids relieve symptoms quickly and are a good choice for patients who are able to medicate only when experiencing GERD symptoms. Most antacids use a combination of magnesium, calcium and aluminum to neutralize stomach acid. Antacids can have side effects. Magnesium can cause diarrhea and aluminum can cause constipation so the two salts are often combined to balance gastrointestinal side effects.

    H2 Blockers

    • H2 blockers are available in over-the-counter and prescription forms. They work by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach. H2 blockers may be helpful for patients whose GERD is not controlled effectively by antacids. Common acid reducers for GERD patients include Axid, Pepcid, Tagamet and Zantac. Try over-the-counter H2 blockers before considering a prescription medication, as the nonprescription strength combined with diet and lifestyle changes works to control GERD symptoms in many people. The most common side effects of H2 blockers are abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, headaches, dizziness, rash and sore throat.

    Proton Pump Inhibitors

    • Proton pump inhibitors are prescription medications that are usually taken daily, such as Nexium, Prilosec, Protonix, Prevacid and Aciphex. Like H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors work by lowering the amount of acid present in the stomach. Proton pump inhibitors are helpful in controlling GERD symptoms in patients who have found H2 blockers to be unsuccessful and for people who experience severe GERD symptoms. Prilosec does have a nonprescription version that GERD patients should not use for more than two weeks without seeing a doctor. The most common side effects associated with proton pump inhibitors are diarrhea, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain and headache.

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