Treating Heartburn With Over-the-Counter Drugs

There are a variety of heartburn medicines available over the counter to relieve heartburn symptoms. If these fail to relieve your symptoms, talk to your doctor about other available heartburn treatment options. He or she may want to evaluate you for GERD.

Non-prescription medications used to treat heartburn and other mild GERD symptoms include:

Antacids for Heartburn

Antacids neutralize stomach acid to relieve heartburn, sour stomach, acid indigestion, and stomach upset. They are also occasionally recommended to help relieve the pain of ulcers. Some antacids also contain simethicone, an ingredient that helps eliminate excess gas. Some antacids contain ingredients that can cause diarrhea, such as magnesium, or constipation, such as aluminum.

Examples of antacids include:

• Alka-Seltzer
• Tums, Alka-2, Titralac, Surpass Gum
• Milk of Magnesia
• Amphojel, Alternagel
• Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, Gelusil, Gaviscon
• Pepto-Bismol

You should take antacids exactly as directed by your doctor, or according to the manufacturer's directions. If you are using the tablets, chew them well before swallowing for faster relief.

Serious side effects can occur with an overdose or overuse of antacids. Side effects include constipation, diarrhea, changes in the color of bowel movements, and stomach cramps.

Acid Blockers for Heartburn

These medicines relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach, and many are available without a prescription. There are two types of drugs that work to reduce the production of acid in the stomach: histamine antagonists (H2 antagonist) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

Examples of H2 antagonists available over the counter include:

• Axid AR
• Pepcid AC
• Tagamet HB
• Zantac 75

The FDA has approved the proton pump inhibitor Prilosec for over-the-counter use to treat frequent heartburn (more than two episodes per week) for 14 days. All of these drugs are also available in prescription strength. Take these medications according to the directions on the package or as advised by your doctor.

If these medications don't relieve your symptoms, or if your heartburn symptoms get worse or persist for longer then a couple of weeks, you should see your doctor.

Possible serious side effects that need to be reported to your doctor right away include confusion, chest tightness, bleeding, sore throat, fever, irregular heartbeat, weakness, and unusual fatigue. Other, less serious side effects include mild headache, dizziness, and diarrhea, which are usually temporary and will likely go away on their own.

Combination Antacid/Acid Blocker for Heartburn

There is only one drug of this type, Pepcid Complete. It combines the acid neutralizing capability of an antacid and the acid-blocking actions of an acid-blocker drug.

So Which Works Best for Heartburn?

All of these over-the-counter products, to a varying degree, can be effective in relieving the heartburn symptoms of mild to moderate GERD. People who have more severe heartburn symptoms that aren't relieved with these medications or who have been using these drugs for more than two weeks should contact their doctor. They may need medicine only obtained with a doctor's prescription.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology.