It isn't just food that can cause heartburn. Sometimes it's the medications we take to treat other conditions that can be the culprit.
Some medications can cause heartburn by relaxing the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES), allowing stomach contents to reflux back up into the esophagus.
Medications that may cause heartburn by relaxing the LES:
- Anticholinergic drugs (urinary tract disorders, antihistamines)
Includes natural belladonna alkaloids (atropine, belladonna, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine) and related products.
- Beta-2 agonists (bronchodilators [Inhalation] -- asthma)
Includes Alupent, Bronkaid Mist, Primatene Mist, Proventil, Ventolin, Ventolin Rotacaps.
- Calcium channel blockers (high blood pressure)
Includes Cardizem, Dilacor-XR, Norvasc, Procardia, Vascor.
- Diazepam (anxiety disorders, seizures)
Includes Librium, Paxipam, Valium, Xanax.
- Nitrates (angina)
Includes Nitrogard, Nitrostat, Nitroglyn E-R, Sorbitrate.
- Opioid analgesics (prescription pain killers)
Includes morphine, oxycodone, synthetic opioid narcotics.
- Theophylline (bronchodilators [oral] -- asthma)
Bronchodilators. Includes Aerolate Sr, Choledyl, Respbid, Slo-Bid Gyrocaps, Theobid Duracaps, Theo-Dur.
- Tricyclic (psychotherapeutic agents, antidepressants)
Includes Anafranil, Elavil, Norpramin, Pamelor.
