Antacids for GERD or Acid Reflux
: Antacids like Riopan, Maalox, Alka-Seltzer, Mylanta, Rolaids, and Riopan, are usually the first line of drugs that can treat GERD symptoms including heartburn. These brands have three types of salts: aluminum, calcium and magnesium in combi hydroxide or bicarbonate ions to offset the acids in the stomach Antacids have side-effects, for instance, aluminum salts lead to constipation while magnesium causes diarrhea. Aluminum and magnesium salts are found together in these antacids so that these unpleasant problems are balanced out and there is relief from acidity and heartbun
Foaming agents for Acid Reflux
: Foaming agents like Gaviscon are good as GERD treatment medicines because they cover the contents of your stomach with foam to prevent reflux.
Calcium Carbonate antacids
Alka-2, Tums and Titrala are good calcium supplements that works as GERD treatment medicines and also treat constipation.
Proton Pump Inhibitors for GERD
Some of the instances of proton pump inhibitors are lansoprozole, rabeplazone pantoprazole, omeprazole, and esomeprazole, sold on prescription. Prisolec is an over-the-counter proton pump inhibitor. What these do is that the treat GERD symptoms by working on the esophageal lining.
H2 blockers as GERD medication
H2 blockers include Famotidine (Pepcid AC), Ranitidine (Zantac 75), cimetidine (Tagamet HB) and nizatidine (Axid AR) to reduce acid formation. It is one of the best treatment medications for GERD.
Prokinetics for GERD treatment
These increase the power of LES and help in the removal of waste products and acids from the body. There are two elements in prokinetics bethanechol (Urecholine) and metoclopramide (Reglan). Metoclopramide helps in cleansing the system by flushing out the toxins.
Doctors tend to give a mixture of the above GERD treatment medications. So if you are taking antacid as well as an H2 blocker on the advice of the doctor, the antacids can neutralize the acids in the stomach and the H2 blockers work on curtailing the acid generation. So by the time, antacid neutralizes the acid in its short-time, the H2 blocker will have stopped acid production.
Overall, the treatment options for GERD include lifestyle changes and home remedies, medication and surgery in certain cases.
