| Prescription Remedies for Heartburn |
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| Type of Remedy | Examples | How They Work | How Long They Last | Why They Are Used |
|
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) |
• Aciphex • Nexium • Prevacid • Prilosec • Protonix |
Deactivates acid pumps in the cells of the stomach, where stomach acid is produced. This thus inhibits the acid production. | Up to 24 hours | Short-term treatment of heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). |
|
H2 Blockers (Histamine Receptor Antagonists) |
• Axid • Pepcid • Tagament • Zantac |
Inhibits the action of histamine, which stimulates the secretion of stomach acid. This partially blocks the production of stomach acid | 6 to 10 hours | Short-term treatment of heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Longer treatment and higher doses are used for short-term treatment of erosive esophagitis. |
| Promotility Agents | • Reglan | Causes the muscles in the stomach to contract, aiding in a faster emptying of the stomach. It also helps to strengthen the lower esophagus splinter (LES), which is the valve that blocks stomach contents from entering the esophagus. | Up to 6 hours | Heartburn and GERD |
Chart of over-the-counter remedies
