The doctor may describe what type of medication for your acid reflux after considering things like age, pre-existing diseases, side effects and what stage of life you're at.
Some medications are designed to reduce the production of acid, some enhance the muscle performnce in the abdomen, and some help in clearing the stomach. Most medications would be available across the counter, but it is always better to check things out with your doctor before starting on anything.
Most people will use antacids which are most common. They contain magnesium, calcium or aluminum salts. They usually work the best in hydroxide or bicarbonate form and are used to neutralize the acid in the stomach. There are side effects from these medications such as constipation (from aluminum) and diarrhea (from magnesium). People with pre-existing diseases such as diabetes need to be careful when taking these over the counter medications containing magnesium salts. A combination of diabetic medication along with episodes of diarrhea can be life threatening.
There is also what is known as Foaming agents, often marketed under names like Gaviscon. These generate a kind of Foam in the abdominal cavity, which covers the reflux acid in the stomach, and keeps it from swishing up through the Esophageal Sphincter.
Other medications like Pepcid and Zantac are referred to as H2 blockers. They will lessen the acid production. Cimetidine, Pepcid, nizatidine and Zantac are in this group which can work on as many as 50 percent of suffers. It is always advisable to talk with your doctor to set a doseage for these medications.
Proton Pump Inhibitors are generally longer lasting for reducing acid production. They are the strongest medications that you can get and they are by prescription only. Prilosec, Zegerid, Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphes and Nexium are all in this category. They are more effective that H2 blockers.
Prokinetics help strengthen the Lower Esophageal Sphincter and make the stomach empty faster. They are not very popular due to the side effects often observed such as depression, anxiety, and fatigue. Sleepiness, co-ordination etc.
Generally your doctor will treat you with various drugs depending on your own unique situation.
Some medications are designed to reduce the production of acid, some enhance the muscle performnce in the abdomen, and some help in clearing the stomach. Most medications would be available across the counter, but it is always better to check things out with your doctor before starting on anything.
Most people will use antacids which are most common. They contain magnesium, calcium or aluminum salts. They usually work the best in hydroxide or bicarbonate form and are used to neutralize the acid in the stomach. There are side effects from these medications such as constipation (from aluminum) and diarrhea (from magnesium). People with pre-existing diseases such as diabetes need to be careful when taking these over the counter medications containing magnesium salts. A combination of diabetic medication along with episodes of diarrhea can be life threatening.
There is also what is known as Foaming agents, often marketed under names like Gaviscon. These generate a kind of Foam in the abdominal cavity, which covers the reflux acid in the stomach, and keeps it from swishing up through the Esophageal Sphincter.
Other medications like Pepcid and Zantac are referred to as H2 blockers. They will lessen the acid production. Cimetidine, Pepcid, nizatidine and Zantac are in this group which can work on as many as 50 percent of suffers. It is always advisable to talk with your doctor to set a doseage for these medications.
Proton Pump Inhibitors are generally longer lasting for reducing acid production. They are the strongest medications that you can get and they are by prescription only. Prilosec, Zegerid, Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphes and Nexium are all in this category. They are more effective that H2 blockers.
Prokinetics help strengthen the Lower Esophageal Sphincter and make the stomach empty faster. They are not very popular due to the side effects often observed such as depression, anxiety, and fatigue. Sleepiness, co-ordination etc.
Generally your doctor will treat you with various drugs depending on your own unique situation.
About the Author:
Searching for an effective acid reflux cure? Check out the Reflux Renegade website where you'll find plenty of helpful tips and advice to put you on the road to recovery. Visit http://www.refluxrenegade.com for more information.
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