Understanding Heartburn - Treatment

What Are the Treatments?

Most doctors advocate antacids for occasional heartburn. Sometimes, more potent or long-term antacid prescription medications may be needed. Occasionally, surgery is recommended to prevent reflux and heartburn. The primary objective is to identify the cause of the heartburn so it can be avoided in the future.

Over-the-counter antacids are commonly prescribed to neutralize stomach acid. If antacids don't quell the symptoms, your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter heartburn drug such as Pepcid AC, Tagamet HR, Axid AR, or Zantac 75.

If heartburn symptoms persist, your doctor can turn to drugs such as Prevacid, Prilosec, Zegerid ,Nexium, Protonix, or Aciphex to reduce the stomach's production of acid, or Reglan to make the stomach empty itself faster.

When all else fails, surgery may be required to repair the lower esophageal sphincter. This surgery can now be done using a laparoscope and requires only a short hospital stay.