Acid Reflux: Standard Medications

The doctor may prescribe a number of medications for acid reflux, after taking into account your age, preexisting diseases, possible side effects, and life stages.

Some medications are designed to reduce the production of acid, some enhance the muscle performnce in the abdomen, and some help in clearing the stomach. Most medications would be available across the counter, but it is always better to check things out with your doctor before starting on anything.

Antacids are most common. The majority uses these. . These medications contain magnesium, calcium or aluminum salts. These are supposed to have the best effect when present in the hydroxide or bicarbonate form. They are used to neutralize the stomach acid. However, these medications also have undesirable side effects like constipation. (due to aluminum) and diarrhea (due to magnesium). Since these are normally over-the-counter medications, those with pre-existing disease like diabetes, need to worry about and take great care while using magnesium salts. Repeated episodes of diarrhea along with intake of diabetes medication, can lead to life threatening situations.

There is also what is known as Foaming agents, often marketed under names like Gaviscon. These generate a kind of Foam in the abdominal cavity, which covers the reflux acid in the stomach, and keeps it from swishing up through the Esophageal Sphincter.

Medications we hear of, frequently, like Pepcid, Zantac etc, come under the category H2 blockers. These drugs actually decrease acid production. Cimetidine ,Pepcid, nizatidine, and Zantac come in this category. and fifty percent of Acid Reflux sufferers find relief from these medications. It is , however, advisable at all times to fix the dosage in consultation with your doctor, and avoid trial and error methods.

Then we have what are called Proton Pump Inhibitors drugs that differ and cause long-lasting reduction of gastric acid production. They are the most potent medications available. Prilosec, Zegerid, Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphex, Nexium, are all-available by prescription. Proton pump inhibitors are more effective than H2 blockers.

Acid reflux and nexium are words that are often associated. Nexium is used to treat heartburn by reducing acid production and helping the healing of the gullet by reducing pain and inflammation. Although hailed to be a wonder drug for acid reflux numerous studies have shown nexium was only slightly more effective than the original acid reflux miracle pill Prilosec. In any regard these drugs really just mask the symptoms, soothe the pain and promote healing - they do not cure acid reflux! You can get more nexium acid reflux information online.

Prokinetics help strengthen the Lower Esophageal Sphincter and make the stomach empty faster. They are not very popular due to the side effects often observed such as depression, anxiety, and fatigue. Sleepiness, co-ordination etc.

Ideally, the doctor will normally recommend a combination of the various drugs based on your own specific Acid Reflux situation.