Antacids and Acid Reducers: OTC Relief for Heartburn and Acid Reflux

Over-the-counter (OTC) products are medicines you can buy without a doctor’s prescription.

Antacids reduce the effect (neutralize) the acid in your stomach. They can provide fast, short-term relief. Many OTC medicines combine different antacids.

H2 blockers reduce the amount of acid your stomach makes. While they don’t relieve symptoms right away, H2 blockers relieve symptoms for a longer period of time than antacids. They usually start to work within an hour. Examples of H2 blockers available over the counter are ranitidine (one brand name: Zantac) or famotidine (one brand name: Pepcid).

Proton pump inhibitors greatly reduce your body’s production of acid. They work well for heartburn that isn’t resolved by antacids or H2 blockers. It may take a little longer for a proton pump inhibitor to help your symptoms than an H2 blocker, but relief will last longer. These medicines are most helpful for people who have heartburn often — more than two days a week. Omeprazole (one brand name: Prilosec) is an example of a proton pump inhibitor.

To find out which medicine is right for you, talk to your family doctor.

Antacids work by neutralizing the acid produced by your stomach.

H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors work by decreasing the amount of acid made by your stomach.

Antacids and acid reducers usually cause only minor side effects that go away on their own. These may include headaches, nausea, constipation or diarrhea.

If you have kidney disease, you shouldn’t use antacids containing calcium carbonate or aluminum hydroxide and magnesium carbonate without your doctor’s recommendation.

Don’t use more than one antacid or acid reducer at a time, unless your doctor recommends it.

If you have had chest pain that is severe or occurs with shortness of breath, dizziness or pain in your arms, you may be having a heart attack. Call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.

You should ask your family doctor before taking an antacid if you also have any of the following symptoms: