Puget Sound Surgical Center - Acid Relux, GERD - Medications - Seattle Weight Loss Surgery and Bariatric Experts


	Acid Reflux - Medications Several medications are used to control symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Many are available in both non-prescription and prescription forms. Different medications work better for different people. You may need to try several medications before finding the one that best controls your symptoms. Antacids Antacids are available without a prescription in liquid, chewable tablet, chewing gum, and dissolving tablet forms to be taken by mouth. Liquid antacids may relieve symptoms faster than other forms of antacids. A single dose may relieve symptoms for approximately an hour. People with occasional, mild to moderate symptoms of GERD, antacids are often all that is needed to control the symptoms. Many doctors will recommend long-term use of antacids if they help relieve your GERD symptoms. Do not use antacids for more than 2 weeks unless you have talked with your doctor about taking them on a long-term basis. Acid Reducers Acid reducers are available in non-prescription and stronger prescription forms. These are also known as H2 blockers. Acid reducers are usually taken orally, although some can also be given as an injection. Generally two doses, morning and evening, are recommended to control both daytime and night time symptoms. Acid reducers reduce the actual production of stomach acids. This makes the stomach juices less acidic so that any stomach juice that gets into the esophagus is less irritating. This gives the esophagus a better opportunity to heal. Prokinetic Agents Prokinetic agents make the valve between the esophagus and stomach squeeze shut more tightly. This makes it more difficult for stomach contents to back up, or reflux, into the esophagus. They also assist in making the stomach empty quicker thereby reducing the amount of remaining acid. Prokinetic agents are not usually used to treat GERD because proton pump inhibitors usually work better and have fewer side effects. Proton pump inhibitors Proton pump inhibitors reduce the production of acid in the stomach. This leaves little acid in the stomach juice so that if stomach juice backs up into the esophagus, it is less irritating. This allows the esophagus an opportunity to heal.

Several medications are used to control symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Many are available in both non-prescription and prescription forms. Different medications work better for different people. You may need to try several medications before finding the one that best controls your symptoms.

Antacids
Antacids are available without a prescription in liquid, chewable tablet, chewing gum, and dissolving tablet forms to be taken by mouth. Liquid antacids may relieve symptoms faster than other forms of antacids. A single dose may relieve symptoms for approximately an hour. People with occasional, mild to moderate symptoms of GERD, antacids are often all that is needed to control the symptoms. Many doctors will recommend long-term use of antacids if they help relieve your GERD symptoms. Do not use antacids for more than 2 weeks unless you have talked with your doctor about taking them on a long-term basis.

Acid Reducers
Acid reducers are available in non-prescription and stronger prescription forms. These are also known as H2 blockers. Acid reducers are usually taken orally, although some can also be given as an injection. Generally two doses, morning and evening, are recommended to control both daytime and night time symptoms. Acid reducers reduce the actual production of stomach acids. This makes the stomach juices less acidic so that any stomach juice that gets into the esophagus is less irritating. This gives the esophagus a better opportunity to heal.

Prokinetic Agents
Prokinetic agents make the valve between the esophagus and stomach squeeze shut more tightly. This makes it more difficult for stomach contents to back up, or reflux, into the esophagus. They also assist in making the stomach empty quicker thereby reducing the amount of remaining acid. Prokinetic agents are not usually used to treat GERD because proton pump inhibitors usually work better and have fewer side effects.

Proton pump inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors reduce the production of acid in the stomach. This leaves little acid in the stomach juice so that if stomach juice backs up into the esophagus, it is less irritating. This allows the esophagus an opportunity to heal.