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Let's see what to use over the counter for this.

Pharmacist

This will assume you are combining lifestyle and dietary changes with over-the-counter measures to tackle this heartburn issue if it is an existing problem.

Over-the-counter medications to treat heartburn are generally classified into 3 categories listed below. You will use this information to choose what will work best for you.

Let's figure this out.



Lady with heartburn holding her chest


Antacids

Antacids contain alkaline ions (bicarbonate, carbonate or hydroxide) and counter-ions (Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Aluminum) that help to neutralize stomach acids. You should start getting relief in about 30 mins.

Lady taking antacid

The liquid formulation work faster. But the tablets are better for taking along because you may have to take this frequently until you get relief.

Be sure to compare OTC antacids using our comparison tool. For instance, some should not be taken if you have diarrhea and some if you have constipation.

 

H2 blockers

They reduce acid production in the stomach by blocking the H2 receptors. They are not as effective as Proton pump inhibitors but are a good alternative if cost is a problem.

Know that these are used to suppress stomach acid production. Don't expect them to work right away if you already have heartburn because the acid is already present in the stomach. 

They are much better for prevention. If you already have this heartburn, include an antacid to neutralize the acid already present for fast relief and then use this to prevent further acid production.

Cimetidine, Famotidine, Ranitidine, and nizatidine are good examples.

 

Antigas

Simethicone is the ingredient that dissolves the gas that causes bloating.

This is an anti-foaming agent that combines tiny air bubbles in the stomach into a bigger one that you can then belch out or pass as gas.

You will use this if you are experiencing bloating along with heartburn. Some heartburn medications combine this with antacids. This combination is usually preferred.

 

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, Esomeprazole. These are used to suppress acid production in the stomach.

The FDA recommends not more than three 14-day treatment courses to be used in one year. This should be sufficient for you. Do it 14 days at a time and if you add good dietary habits and other lifestyle changes, you should not need it for more than 3 times in one year.

Here is how these drugs work. They irreversibly inhibit the pump that produces acid in the stomach called proton pump. They can knock out up to 99% of these pumps irreversibly which means they will never come back.

A 14-day treatment should make this happen. But the stomach will form new pumps to replace the ones that were knocked out. This will take a while (average 2 to 3 months) to reach the levels that were causing heartburn before. So if you add good dietary and lifestyle changes to your treatment plan, you should not have to be taking these medications every day just for heartburn relief.

Which should you choose? Use the comparison feature of this app to help you with that.

 

Lifestyle changes

You should work on these:

  • Carbonated drinks
  • Alcohol
  • Coffee
  • Caffeinated energy drinks
  • Chocolate, mints or peppermints
  • Citrus fruits
  • Fatty or spicy foods
  • Tomato products
  • Smoking
  • Taking ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin

 

 


Which of the symptoms listed below are you experiencing right now?
Pharmacist

Woman with heartburn pointing to her chest

Choose your symptoms from the list below and see what is recommended.

 

 

Selection require an antacid.
Pharmacist

 

Selection require an antigas medication.
Pharmacist

 

Selection require a h2 blocker type of medication.
Pharmacist

 

Selection require a PPI group of medications.
Pharmacist

 

Selection require seeking urgent care.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antacid and an antigas combination.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antacid and a h2 blocker class of medications.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antacid and a PPI group of medications.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antacid and for you to see a doctor
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antigas and a h2 blocker class of medications
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antigas and a PPI group of medications
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antigas and for you to see a doctor.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a h2 blocker type acid reducer and a PPI group of medications
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a h2 blocker type acid reducer and for you to see a doctor.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a PPI type of acid reducer and for you to see a doctor
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antacid, antigas or combination and a h2 blocker class of medications.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antacid, antigas or combination and a PPI group of acid reducers.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antacid, antigas and you have to seek urgent care.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antacid, a h2 blocker type acid reducer and or a PPI group of medications.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antacid, a h2 blocker type acid reducer and you have to seek urgent care
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antacid, a PPI type of acid reducer and you have to seek urgent care
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antigas, a h2 blocker type acid reducer and or a PPI group of medications.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antigas, a h2 blocker type acid reducer and you have to seek urgent care
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antigas, a PPI type of acid reducer and you have to seek urgent care
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require a h2 blocker type of acid reducer, and or a PPI type of acid reducer and you have to seek urgent care
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antacid, antigas, a h2 blocker type acid reducer and or a PPI group of medications.
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antacid, antigas, a h2 blocker type acid reducer and you have to seek urgent care
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antacid, antigas or combination, a PPI type of acid reducer and you have to seek urgent care
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antacid, a h2 blocker type acid reducer, or a PPI type of acid reducer and you have to seek urgent care
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antigas, a h2 blocker type acid reducer, a PPI type of acid reducer and you have to seek urgent care
Pharmacist

 

Symptoms require an antacid, an antigas or combination, a h2 blocker type acid reducer, and or a PPI type of acid reducer and you have to seek urgent care.
Pharmacist

 

Something to prevent?

 

Preventive measures


You will have to work on these:

  • Carbonated drinks
  • Alcohol
  • Coffee
  • Caffeinated energy drinks
  • Chocolate, mints or peppermints
  • Citrus fruits
  • Fatty or spicy foods
  • Tomato products
  • Smoking
  • Taking ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin

Take these seriously. You may want to make a list and place it on the refrigerator as a reminder.

 

All of these?
You must have this heartburn really bad.
Pharmacist

 

None of these?
We must have left something out.

Sorry, we must have left some things out. Please choose what you think closely resembles what you are experiencing and see what is recommended.

Antacid

Use an antacid to neutralize the stomach acid already present. This should give you relief within the next 30 mins and last for 4 hours.

Use the comparison feature of this app to choose a good one that will work best for you.

 

 

Antigas

Simethicone is the ingredient that dissolve gas in the stomach.

Take this if you are feeling bloated. Expect some belching. When this happens, you should start feeling better.

 

 

H2 Blocker

Take this to reduce the production of acid in the stomach.

Know that it reduces the production of the acid and it will take a few days to kick in. You may want to combine this with an antacid to neutralise the acid that is already present in the stomach.

Compare H2 blockers using the comparison feature of this app to see which will work best for you.

Quick reminder: Take this OR a proton pump inhibitor and not both at the same time.

 

 

PPI(Proton pump inhibitors)

Take this to suppress acid production in the stomach. It takes a while to kick in.

If you need something for immediate relief, add an antacid to neutralize the acid that is currently present in the stomach while this will prevent more acid from being formed. After a couple of days, you can then stop taking the antacid and continue with the proton pump inhibitor.

Compare the different types using the comparison table of this app to know which to choose between omeprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole.

 

 

Seek Urgent Care

See a healthcare provider on this one. Over-the-counter or self-care is not going to take care of this. Don't waste your time and money. It will get worse.

 

 

Combination Products

1. Antacid + Famotidine

2. Antacid + Omeprazole

3. Antacid + Antigas

 

 

Worth doing

You will have to work on these:

  • Carbonated drinks
  • Alcohol
  • Coffee
  • Caffeinated energy drinks
  • Chocolate, mints or peppermints
  • Citrus fruits
  • Fatty or spicy foods
  • Tomato products
  • Smoking
  • Taking ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin

 

 

Last updated by pharmacist on 03/08/2018

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Know this about the safe and effective use of this recommendation.
Article photo

Our disclaimer

  • Recommendation is the opinion of a registered US Pharmacist currently practicing as a community pharmacist.
  • Recommendation is not an attempt to discuss all possible self care or treatment approach to this health challenge.
  • The responsibility of the recommending pharmacist is limited to this question:
    "If a patient presents with these symptoms, what will you recommend and why?"
    It is not an attempt to publish an article on the treatment of any condition. Just what would you tell a patient who present with so and so in the usual course of your practice.
  • The pharmacist image presented in this article may or may not be the actual image of the authoring pharmacist.
    Because we insist on using articles written by currently practicing community pharmacists, these pharmacists may choose to remain anonymous especially if they are employed by an employer to avoid being pressured to recommend a particular product to drive sales.
  • Please read the policies and terms of use for self-care OTC, selfcarepharmacist.com and it's affiliates by clicking on the button below.

 

 

 

 

 

What if you are currently experiencing the conditions listed below?

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