Acid Reflux Medicine - 5 Medications to Treat Acid Reflux

If you suffer from acid reflux then you already know that the heartburn pain can be excruciating. Luckily, there are many types of acid reflux medicine available to help treat your disease. Not everyone needs to result to acid reflux medicine though, if you only experience heartburn occasionally, there are changes you can make to your diet and lifestyle. But if heartburn plagues you daily or at least three times per week, you might consider acid reflux alternative medicine as an option. Here are five different medications:

1. Antacids - the most popular over the counter medications include Tums, Maalox, Rolaids, and Mylanta. These are fast acting heartburn reliefs to treat mild reflux. They will reduce the amount of acid in your stomach, but they won reduce inflammation of your esophagus - meaning antacids are not to be used as a permanent cure.

2. Oral suspension medicines - these medications include Pepto Bismol and Carafate, and are for short term methods for treating heartburn. These types of acid reflux medicine coat the inside of your esophagus, causing you immediate relief, but once the liquid wears off, you are back where you started.

3. Anti-gas, anti-flatulence - sometimes heartburn sufferers experience bloating and pressure. Phazyme, Gas-X, and Beano are used to treat these symptoms. They usually come in tablet form and work by breaking up gas bubbles, which makes it easier to eliminate.

4. H-2 receptor blockers - the most common over the counter medications are Pepcid AC and Zantac. These blockers work by shutting off the production of acid in your stomach and are effective for mild reflux. H-2 receptor blockers provide relief that lasts longer than antacids, but they take longer to start working. They work best when taken 30 minutes before meals or before you go to bed.

5. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) - acid reflux medicine includes Prilosec, Prevacid, and Nexium. They work by blocking acid production and aid in healing damaged esophagus tissues, so they should be taken by people with more severe heartburn. Most PPIs are prescribed by a doctor, so if over the counter medications don work for you, you can get alternative medicine for acid reflux by getting a prescription for your doctor.