Heartburn Medicine - Looking for Relief

What Choices Does Medical Science
Offer For Heartburn Relief

For most heartburn sufferers finding relief from that burning pain can be the most important goal in their lives. People who do not suffer from heartburn may not understand this, and may also take the sufferer’s condition lightly. Not so for the victim, as they will go to any lengths to find a heartburn medicine that will suit them.

There are many ways for you to relieve your heartburn, over-the-counter medicines being the most popular. These are generally referred to as ‘H2 blockers’, but are also known as antacids. Most come in forms that people will recognize easily like Zantac, Pepcid, Tums, and Tagamet. These are all H2 blockers and should provide relief from your heartburn.

The most common OTC medications are Antacids based on sodium carbonate or calcium or magnesium or aluminum that neutralize excess stomach acids by chemical reaction and provide quick relief from acidity, heartburn and indigestion. Medications like Bismuth Subsalicylates or Alginic Acid or Sodium Alginate are other antacid available. Over-the-Counter provides meds provide a protective coating to the esophageal wall and prevent the harsh stomach acids from acting on them and producing burning sensation.

Proton Pump Inhibitors like Omeprazole (Prilosec), Lansoprazole (Prevacid), Esomeprazole Magnesium (Nexium), and Pantoprazole (Protonix) are best indicated for persistent and frequent heartburn. Available as both OTC and prescription medication, they inhibit acid production in the stomach by deactivating the proton pumps in the cells of the stomach.

Heartburn medicine that suits one person though, may not always be optimal for another person. The fairly simple medicines like the ones stated above, are generally all right for most people and should not cause any adverse effects.

You should never take anything for granted however and the labels and warnings are all there for a reason. You should read them carefully before taking any kind of medicine as you may be allergic to one of the components used in the medicine, in which case you should ideally switch to a new heartburn medicine that’s right for you.

If you do take the medicine and feel poorly, it is always a good idea to see your doctor as soon as possible. Putting this off may result in a more serious complication than the original heartburn itself.

For more serious heartburn conditions, your physician should always be consulted. The heartburn may be caused as an effect of something else, or might be a precursor to another condition. Either case will not be cured by over the counter medicines, and will only serve to mask any other symptoms you might be having.

Your physician will know exactly what to look for and if needed will prescribe the right heartburn medicine you need. And if you don’t need prescription medicines, then they can always recommend the correct over the counter medicine needed.

Whatever the case, it’s always best if you don’t ‘mix and match’ the remedies. Also if you are going to see your physician for a different condition, be sure and list all the medicines you’re currently taking. This will give your physician the full picture and they will be able to prescribe any medicine correctly.

For the most part however, people who suffer from mild heartburn can find relief for their pain from the heartburn medicines that are available now. And just like an apple a day keeps the doctor away, so will a little bit of heartburn medicine a day, keep the heartburn at bay. There are other possibilities for heartburn that don't have food as their primary heartburn cause that you may not be aware of.