[toc]Many people suffer from acidity now and then. Our stomach secretes acid that aids the digestive process, but when there is an imbalance and more acid is produced, it can result in a condition called acidity. It usually occurs after you have your meals and is more when you are lying down. The common symptoms observed are heartburn, stomach pain and belching. If left untreated, excessive acidity can give rise to stomach ulcers.
A small discomfort can turn into a serious problem. It is important to understand what is causing acidity and then to take corrective measures in lifestyle and diet. Visit a doctor to rule out other causes. If your doctor diagnoses acidity, there are certain medications that will be prescribed to you. You will be evaluated for gastroesophageal reflux disease. For simple cases of acidity, over the counter medications can be taken once in a while. Given here are some of the popularly used medications to treat acidity.
5 Medications For Acidity
Antacids
These are non-prescription medications that are popularly used to get fast relief from the symptoms of acidity. Antacids help to neutralize the stomach acids and provide relief from indigestion, heartburn and sour stomach. These medications are available as chewable tablets and in liquid form. Some of the commonly used antacids are Pepto-Bismol, Gelusil, Mylanta, Tums, etc. Do not overuse antacids and avoid overdosing.
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Anti-Gas, Anti-Flatulence
If you have acidity and you feel your stomach is bloated and under pressure, these medications will help you feel much better. You can take over the counter medications like Gas-X, Phazyme or Beano in order to get relief from gas and bloating.
These medications are usually available in tablet form and can help to break gas bubbles, thus eliminating them effectively. It is best to avoid overuse of these medications.
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H-2 Receptor Blockers
If over the counter prescriptions are not working in your case, your doctor may advise you to take H-2 receptor blockers. These are prescription medications that can help stop the production of acid in your stomach. For a mild case of acid reflux, these medications can be taken once in a while to get relief that lasts longer.
They take some time to take effect and should be taken half an hour before meals. Ranitidine, Cimetidine, Nizatidine are some examples of these medications.
Proton Pump Inhibitors
These are medications that will help block acid formation and also aid the healing of your oesophagus that gets damaged due to excess acid production. Nexium, Prevacid and Protonix are some of the prescription medications that can be used to treat acidity.
Prilosec OTC and Prevacid 24 HR are over the counter medications that can help treat acidity. Avoid overuse and take these medications after consulting your doctor.
Prokinetics
These medications are given to you along with heartburn or GERD medications. Prokinetics help to strengthen the lower oesophageal muscles, thus helping prevent acid reflux and treating the problem of recurring acidity effectively. Some of the commonly used prokinetics are Reglan and Urecholine.
You may suffer from side effects like drowsiness, nausea, restlessness and diarrhea. Take these medications according to prescribed dosages and under your doctor’s guidance only.
