Lifestyle Changes to Control GERD
- If you smoke, stop.
- Do not drink alcohol.
- Lose weight if needed.
- Eat small meals.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes.
- Avoid lying down for 3 hours after a meal.
- Raise the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches by putting blocks of wood under the bedposts--just using extra pillows will not help.
Medications Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter antacids, which you can buy without a prescription, or medications that stop acid production or help the muscles that empty your stomach.
Antacids, such as Mylanta and Tums are usually the first drugs recommended to relieve heartburn and other mild GERD symptoms.
H2 blockers, such as Tagamet HB (cimetidine), Pepcid AC (famotidine), Axid AR (nizatidine), and Zantac 75 (ranitidine), impede acid production. They are available in prescription strength and over the counter. They are effective for about half of those who have GERD symptoms.
Proton pump inhibitors include Prilosec (omeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole), Protonix (pantoprazole), Aciphex (rabeprazole), and Nexium (esomeprazole), which are all available by prescription. Proton pump inhibitors are more effective than H2 blockers and have been shown to relieve symptoms in most people who has GERD.
