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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 information about these 3 categories to choose what will work best for you.

Let's figure this out. 



Boy with heartburn symptoms holding the chest


Antacids

Antacids contain alkaline ions that can neutralise stomach acids. Your child should start getting relief in about 30 mins.

The liquid formulation work faster. But the chewable tablets are better for taking along because your child may have to take this frequently until he or she gets relief.

Be sure to compare OTC antacids using our comparison tool. 

 

H2 blockers

These reduce or suppress acid production in the stomach by blocking the H2 receptors in the stomach. 

Don't expect them to work right away if your child already has heartburn.

If heartburn is present, you will have to 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 examples.

 

Proton Pump Inhibitors

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

Your child will have to use this under a doctor's supervision. Don't start this on a self-care basis.

 

Antigas

Simethicone is the main ingredient that dissolves the gas in cases of bloating.

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

You would use this if your child is experiencing bloating along with a heartburn. Some heartburn medications combine this with antacids. This combination is usually preferred.

 

Lifestyle changes

Your child will have to work on these:

  • No carbonated drinks
  • Caffeinated energy drinks
  • Chocolate, mints or peppermints
  • Citrus fruits
  • Fatty or spicy foods
  • Tomato products
  • Taking ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin

Take these seriously.

 

 


Which of the symptoms listed below is your child experiencing right now?
Pharmacist

Boy with heartburn symptoms touching his chest

Choose the 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


Your child will have to work on these:

  • No carbonated drinks
  • Coffee
  • Caffeinated energy drinks
  • Chocolate, mints or peppermints
  • Citrus fruits
  • Fatty or spicy foods
  • Tomato products
  • Taking ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin

Take these seriously.

 

All of these?
Child 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 your child is  experiencing and see what is recommended.

Antacid

You will use this to neutralize the stomach acid already present. This should give your child relief within the next 30 mins.

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

 

 

Antigas

This contains simethicone the ingredient that dissolves the gas in the stomach.

You will give this if the child is feeling bloated. Expect some belching. When this happens, the child should start feeling better.

 

 

H2 Blocker

You will want to give this to reduce the production of stomach acid.

Know that it reduces the production of the acid and it will take a few days to kick in. So you may need 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 your child.

 

 

PPI(Proton pump inhibitors)

We strongly recommend giving this to your child on the advice of a health care professional. 

 

 

Seek Urgent Care

You should take the child to the nearest children's urgent care clinic.

 

 

Combination Products

1. Antacid + Famotidine

2. Antacid + Omeprazole

3. Antacid + Antigas

 

 

Worth doing

Your child will have to work on these:

  • No carbonated drinks
  • Coffee
  • Caffeinated energy drinks
  • Chocolate, mints or peppermints
  • Citrus fruits
  • Fatty or spicy foods
  • Tomato products
  • Taking ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin

Take these seriously.

 

 

Last updated by pharmacist on 02/17/2016

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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.

 

 

 

 

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