Side Effects of Reflux Medications

Acid reflux is a common problem for adults. Acid reflux occurs when food or liquid, along with stomach acid, travels backwards and back up through the esophagus again. The stomach acid scorches the esophagus, causing severe pain. There are several over-the-counter and prescription medication options for people suffering from acid reflux. Some of these medicines have few side effects while others have numerous effects and interactions with other prescriptions or over-the-counter medications.

Nexium

• Nexium treats acid reflux and symptoms associated with it. It comes in I.V. and time-released capsules. Common side effects of Nexium include constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, gas, headache, nausea and stomach pain. Severe allergic reactions may also occur such as rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue or unusual hoarseness of voice. Other serious symptoms include chest pain, dark urine, fast heartbeat, fever, chills, sore throat, red, blistering or peeling skin, severe abdominal pain, bruising or bleeding, fatigue or jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).

Prevacid

• Prevacid comes in a time-release capsule for the treatment of acid reflux and other associated conditions. Common side effects of Prevacid include headache, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea or constipation. Prevacid also may cause allergic side effects in some people such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Prevacid seems to have fewer side effects than many of the other acid reflux medications; however, it reacts with many other prescription drugs.

Tagamet

• Tagamet treats acid reflux and other problems that come along with it. It is available in tablet form. Side effects of Tagamet are cough, fever, trouble breathing, congestion in the chest, skin rash or blistering, jaundice , light-headedness, confusion, bruising or bleeding, weakness, less urination than is regular for you, irregular heartbeat, vertigo, depression, agitation, joint or muscle pain, headache, diarrhea, constipation or nausea. Tagament may also cause allergic reactions in some people including hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Prilosec

• Prilosec treats acid reflux and other symptoms associated with it. Prilosec is available over-the-counter and in prescription form. Prilosec's side effects are abdominal pain, gas, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or headache. Allergic reactions such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat may also occur. Like Prevacid, Prilosec has few side effects and they are not serious, but Prilosec can interfere with several other medications that are prescription or over-the-counter.

Conclusion

• If you suffer from acid reflux, the best course of action would be to see your doctor. Your doctor can discus the effects and interactions of many acid reflex medications with you and together you can find the right medication instead of buying and trying many over the counter medicines that may only give you limited relief. Your doctor can also help you asses your diet and see what foods you are eating that would trigger a strong acid reflux reaction. The doctor can help you with a new diet and a new lifestyle that is not affected any longer by acid reflux.