What are the most common medicines prescribed for Acid Reflux?

The first line of treatment for Acid Reflux is antacid. Since acid is the main culprit the first thing a doctor will do is to find ways to neutralize that acid. The common antacids available in the pharmacy contain aluminum, magnesium or calcium. Antacids neutralize the acid in the stomach so that it does not cause damage when it refluxes into the food pipe. Some of the common antacids available in US are Maalox II, Mylanta II, Gelusil and Extra Strength Riopan. Antacids in the form of liquids work more effectively than tablets. 

But even though antacids are so effective, the results are not long lasting. The antacid tends to flush out of the system quickly and acid formation starts again. One way to prolong the affect of an antacid is to take it one hour after the meals since reflux begins with the process of digestion. A second dose of the antacid can be taken two hours after a meal. This way the acid stays neutralized in the stomach for a longer time. In simple cases of Acid Reflux, antacids work quite well. However if you suffer from chronic acid reflux and heartburn, then you may need more extensive treatment.

Scientists have come up with drugs that inhibit the secretion of acid altogether in the stomach. These include names that you may be familiar with such as Tagatmet (cimetidine), Zantac (Ranitidine), Nizatidine (Axid) and Famotidine (Pepsid). Available easily over the counter, these drug works by blocking a chemical called Histamine that stimulates the production of acid in the stomach. If the drug is taken 30 minutes before meals and at nighttimes, it does not allow acid production in the stomach. These medicines work very effectively in giving fast and long lasting relief from heartburn. 

If a patient does not find relief from these medicines then the doctor is likely to recommend another category of drugs such as Prilosec (Omeprazole), Prevacid (Lansoprazole), Aciphex (Rabeprazole), Protonix (Pantoprazole) and Nexium (Esomeprazole). These drugs too shut down acid production in the stomach but their effect lasts longer than histamine blockers. These medicines are also better at treating the inflammation in the esophagus that occurs with acid reflux. For some patients the doctor might also prescribe a medicine called Gaviscon and Algicon. These medicines contain an antacid and a foaming agent. When the tablet reaches the stomach, it gets converted into foam that floats at the top of the contents of the stomach. While the antacid neutralizes the acid in the stomach, the foam prevents the contents of the stomach from flowing into the esophagus. 

Sometimes patients do not respond to these drugs, the doctor then might recommend a different category of drugs called the metoclopramide (Reglan) and bethanecol (Urecholine). These drugs work by increasing the pressure in the LES and firming up the contractions of the esophagus. This reduces the reflux of acid in the food pipe. The medicine also helps in emptying out the contents of the stomach faster, thereby leaving little time for the acid to leak into the food pipe. These medicines represent the most effective way of treating acid reflux, apart from surgical and non-surgical procedures. However caution must be exercised as some of the drugs can cause other harmful effects too.