Over The Counter Relief for Your Acid Reflux
There IS over the counter relief for your acid reflux. If you have GERD, chances are that you’ve already tried several of those remedies. If you’re new to the ailment, you may be wondering where to start.
Either way, don’t give up until you've exhausted all of your options because your only other alternative is a prescription medication, which can cost a cash paying patient up to $160.00. The OTC treatments that are currently available to consumers are:
- Antacids
- H2 Blockers
- Bismuth
- Subsalicylate
- Prilosec OTC Formulation
Antacids, which neutralize the acid in your stomach, were once the only OTC option for reflux sufferers. Because of that, nearly everyone has tried an antacid at one point in time. The following is a comprehensive list of the antacids that you can count on to provide inexpensive, convenient, over-the-counter relief for your acid reflux:
- Gaviscon
- Mylanta
- Milk of Magnesia (Ex-Lax, Phillips Chewable Tablets)
- Maalox Regular Strength Antacid
- Pepcid Complete Chewable Tablets
- Tums Regular Antacid
- Alka-Seltzer Heartburn Relief
- Rolaids
- Titralac
These remedies can be purchased at any drug store, pharmacy or retail outlet. You can even get them at most gas stations and convenient marts if you’re on the road or in a rush. They’ve been proven to be convenient and cost-effective in relationship to a prescription alternative.
However, many of them have to be taken up to 3-4 times a day (or more) in order to completely alleviate symptoms. An H2 Blocker doesn’t work as fast as an antacid but it will generally tend to be longer acting. They work by reducing the amount of acid that is produced by your stomach. Some examples are:
- Tagamet HB 200
- Pepcid AC
- Zantac 75
There are some products, like Pepcid Complete, that combine both an H2 Blocker and an antacid. Those products are both faster acting AND longer lasting than an antacid or an H2 Blocker alone. Bismuth subsalicylate is the generic name for the active ingredient found in a class of several products with which you may already be familiar. It can be found in:
- Kaopectate
- Maalox Maximum Strength Total Stomach Relief
- Pepto-Bismol
- Bismatrol
These medications help to balance out the way in which fluid moves through your bowels. They are designed to "coat" the lining of the stomach, which prevents the destruction caused by acid.
If you’re a NASCAR fan, you’re familiar with the Prilosec OTC Formulation (and Jeff Burton’s purple race car). Prilosec is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that, until recently, was only available by prescription. It is, by far, the strongest product available to provide over-the-counter relief for your acid reflux.
It’s a once-a-day product that is designed to provide 24-hour relief from GERD symptoms but it should only be used in patients that suffer from acid reflux more than twice each week. With the countless medications that exist, you just might be able to find over-the-counter relief for your acid reflux.
Remember that, even though these medications don’t require a prescription, they should still only be used according their package labeling and extended use is not advised. If your symptoms persist more than two weeks, you need to consult your physician.
As you can see, there are many types of over the counter relief for your acid reflux. To learn more including how the over the counter treatments work, you can click here.
Acid Reflux Remedies Over The Counter Relief for Your Acid Reflux How Over The Counter Treatments Work Side Effects of OTC Treatments For Acid Reflux | Acid Reflux Drug Interactions
Precautions for OTC Acid Reflux Therapy | Herbal Remedies for Acid Reflux
The Three Most Widely Used Herbal Remedies For Acid Reflux
Herbal Recipes for Acid Reflux | Herbal Precautions for Acid Reflux
Herbal Side Effects For Acid Reflux
Return to the Homepage from Over The Counter Relief for Your Acid Reflux
Notice & Disclaimer: Acid Reflux Tips is for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice. Always consult your doctor with health questions about specific medical conditions.
