Living with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)—and the heartburn that goes with it—can be uncomfortable. But it shouldn't prevent you from leading a normal life. There are lots of treatment options, like antacids and lifestyle changes, that can be so effective you might even forget you have it. Though sometimes stronger, prescription medication may be necessary to fully relieve symptoms. Keep reading to learn all the GERD treatments, medications, and natural home remedies available.
GERD is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which comprises the ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach. This condition occurs when stomach acid or bile flows into the food pipe and irritates the lining, causing symptoms like chest pain, belching, and nausea. Common treatments include antacid medications and self-care.
Almost 20% of U.S. adults are affected by GERD every year. Because it's so prevalent, there are ongoing clinical trials and development of new treatments for the condition.
GERD is caused by frequent acid reflux and heartburn. Acid reflux occurs when your LES doesn’t close properly and allows digestive juices from your stomach to rise up to your esophagus.
Anyone, including infants and children, can experience GERD. Those at a higher risk include pregnant women, people who smoke, people who are obese, those with a hiatal hernia, and those with connective tissue disorders. You may also be at risk for GERD if you eat certain foods like citrus, chocolate, or fatty foods, and drink coffee, tea, and alcohol on a regular basis.
If you’re not sure whether you have GERD, schedule an appointment with your primary healthcare provider right away, as he or she can help diagnose the issue and provide further medical advice. Here’s what you can expect at your appointment:
During your appointment, your doctor may ask the following questions to better inform the diagnosis of GERD:
If you do have GERD, it’s important to understand its causes and course of action over the short and long-term. Here are some of the more important questions to ask your doctor during your appointment:
Though primary care physicians and pediatricians can usually treat GERD, they may refer you to a gastroenterologist if your condition persists or worsens. Long-term symptomatic GERD can lead to certain stomach cancers, therefore, it is important to be evaluated by a physician if heartburn symptoms persist.
After you receive your diagnosis, your doctor should provide you with a variety of options to treat your gastroesophageal reflux disease. In most cases, treatment will consist of prescription medications, antacids to neutralize stomach acid, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), prokinetics, or antibiotics.
“PPIs are the strongest class of medications that are available to treat GERD. The H2 blockers are not as potent in inhibiting gastric acid production,” said Jesse P. Houghton, MD, Senior Medical Director of Gastroenterology at Southern Ohio Medical Center.
In fact, recent studies done by the VA Office of Research and Development found that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which block gastric acid production, are the most effective medications for GERD.
Esophageal pH/impedance monitoring shows that PPI-resistant GERD symptoms correlate with episodes of reflux in nearly one-half of patients. Those patients might benefit from surgery to treat GERD. Dr. Hougton says the best surgical treatments for GERD patients are Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication, TIF (Transesophageal Incisionless Fundoplication), a LINX procedure, or a Stretta device. In some cases, certain endoscopic techniques, like endoscopic sewing or radiofrequency, may be used.
Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent GERD symptoms from occurring and even stop the disease completely. If left untreated, GERD can cause severe inflammation and permanent damage to the esophagus, lead to esophageal cancer or esophagitis, and cause peptic stricture or Barrett’s esophagus.
Your doctor may prescribe one or more medications in the following drug classes to help treat GERD and prevent symptoms from worsening. Talk to your doctor about which medications are safe for you and remember to always use over-the-counter medicine as directed.
Antacids counteract the effects of stomach acid by raising gastric pH and provide relief for heartburn, indigestion, and peptic ulcers. Common brands include Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, and Rolaids. Some side effects include gas, belching, constipation, and diarrhea.
Antibiotics fight bacterial infections by killing bacteria and slowing their growth. Some antibiotics, like Erythrocin, can relieve GERD symptoms by helping your stomach empty faster. Common side effects are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
These drugs decrease acid production, heal the esophagus, and can provide short- and long-term relief for those with GERD symptoms. H2 blockers compete with histamine for H2 receptors on the stomach’s parietal cells and decrease the production of hydrochloric acid during this process. Popular brands include Pepcid AC, Tagamet HB, Zantac, and Axid AR. People who take H2 blockers may experience constipation, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, dry skin, and headaches.
PPIs bind to proton pumps in the stomach and block acid production. They work by blocking the gastric proton pump, which is part of the final step of acid production. Some of the more popular brands include Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, Dexilant, Nexium, and Zegerid. Side effects include headache, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Long term use of PPIs can lead to osteoporosis and bone fractures.
Prokinetics, or prokinetic agents, are drugs that control acid reflux and are used in the more serious cases of GERD. They help strengthen the LES, causing the stomach to empty faster and allowing less time for acid reflux to occur. Here are some popular prokinetic brand names: Reglan, Motilium, and Zelnorm. Side effects include anxiety, depression, drowsiness, and fatigue.
The best medication for GERD depends on the patient’s medical condition, medical history, and medications they may already be taking that could interact with GERD medication as well as the patient’s response to treatment.
This table compares the most commonly prescribed GERD medications.
Best medications for GERD | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Drug name | Drug class | Administration route | Standard dosage | Common side effects |
Tums (calcium carbonate) | Antacid | Oral | Chew 2-4 tablets with the onset of GERD symptoms (not to exceed 15 tablets in 24 hours) | Upset stomach, loss of appetite, nausea |
Pepcid AC (famotidine) | H2 blocker | Oral | Take 1, 10–20 mg tablet once or twice daily, as needed | Constipation, fatigue, dizziness |
Prilosec OTC (omeprazole) | Proton pump inhibitor | Oral, liquid suspension | 1 delayed-release tablet before a meal every day | Constipation, gas, nausea |
Prevacid (lansoprazole) | Proton pump inhibitor | Oral | 1, 15 mg delayed-release capsule taken once a day | Diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache |
Dosage is determined by your doctor based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and weight. Other possible side effects exist. This is not a complete list.
The most common side effects of GERD medication include gas, belching, a burning sensation in the chest, abdominal pain, and constipation. Certain drug classes, like PPIs and H2 blockers, may cause diarrhea, headaches, and vomiting. More serious side effects can include an increased risk of infection, bone fractures, and kidney problems.
This is not a full list of side effects. Talk to a healthcare professional for a complete list of possible adverse events and drug interactions.
In addition to medicine, there are a few lifestyle changes and natural remedies that can treat GERD and alleviate symptoms. Here a few common treatments:
GERD is a treatable disease, though serious complications may occur if the condition is not diagnosed properly or overlooked by doctors.
GERD is a digestive disorder that can cause heartburn and acid reflux. It can be treated by taking certain medications, like antacids, H2 blockers, or proton pump inhibitors, making changes to your diet, and in severe cases, having surgery.
GERD symptoms in adults can include belching, gas, nausea, difficulty swallowing, regurgitation of food, a burning sensation in your chest, discomfort in the abdomen, a bitter taste in the mouth, or a dry cough.
The main cause of GERD is frequent acid reflux. When stomach acid frequently flows back into your esophagus, the backwash can irritate the lining of your esophagus and cause burning sensations, discomfort, gas, and nausea.
You can reduce GERD by making certain lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, reducing your alcohol intake, and eating more mindfully.
To cure your GERD for good, it’s important that you get a diagnosis early on to receive proper treatment. In combination with medication, there are lifestyle changes that will prevent GERD from coming back. These include maintaining a healthy weight, cutting out alcohol and fatty foods from your diet, quitting smoking, and practicing stress-relieving techniques.
Dr. Anis Rehman is an American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) certified physician in Internal Medicine as well as Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism who practices in Illinois. He completed his residency at Cleveland Clinic Akron General and fellowship training at University of Cincinnati in Ohio. Dr. Rehman has several dozen research publications in reputable journals and conferences. He also enjoys traveling and landscape photography. Dr. Rehman frequently writes medical blogs for District Endocrine (districtendocrine.com) and hosts an endocrine YouTube channel, District Endocrine.
...(Except Major Holidays)
© 2024 SingleCare Administrators. All Rights Reserved.
* Prescription savings vary by prescription and by pharmacy, and may reach up to 80% off cash price.
Pharmacy names, logos, brands, and other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
This article is not medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.
This is a prescription discount plan. This is NOT insurance nor a Medicare prescription drug plan. The range of prescription discounts provided under this discount plan will vary depending on the prescription and pharmacy where the prescription is purchased and can be up to 80% off the cash price. You are fully responsible for paying your prescriptions at the pharmacy at the time of service, but you will be entitled to receive a discount from the pharmacy in accordance with the specific pre-negotiated discounted rate schedule. Pharmacy names, logos, brands, and other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.Towers Administrators LLC (operating as 'SingleCare Administrators') is the authorized prescription discount plan organization with its administrative office located at 4510 Cox Road, Suite 111, Glen Allen, VA 23060. SingleCare Services LLC ('SingleCare') is the vendor of the prescription discount plan, including their website.website at www.singlecare.com. For additional information, including an up-to-date list of pharmacies, or assistance with any problems related to this prescription drug discount plan, please contact customer service toll free at 844-234-3057, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except major holidays). By using the SingleCare prescription discount card or app, you agree to the SingleCare Terms and Conditions found at https://www.singlecare.com/terms-and-conditions
© 2024 SingleCare Administrators. All Rights Reserved.