In a normal digestive process, the partially digested food is being forwarded by muscular movements from the stomach to the intestines. However, for some people, the stomach contents travel back to the esophagus from the stomach. This condition is known as acid reflux.
Common symptoms of this disease include heartburn, difficulty in swallowing, regurgitation, chest pains, dental erosion, hoarseness, asthma, dyspepsia, vomiting, and many others.
Most Common Acid Reflux Medication
If not properly treated, acid reflux can last for several months. But drug treatment can play an essential part in the treatment process of a patient. The most common medications used include the following:
Antacids
These drugs are used to neutralize the acids in the digestive tract and are primarily taken in for the relief of mild symptoms, such as
occasional episodes of indigestion and heartburn. They also act to incite the defensive mechanisms of our stomach by building up the secretion of mucous and bicarbonate. Most antacids can be bought over the counter even without a medical prescription. Moreover, these drugs are
one of the first to be recommended by professionals to lessen the pain brought about by heartburn or mild symptoms. The three basic ingredients of antacids are magnesium, calcium, and aluminum.
Histamine blockers
Acid suppressants such as
histamine blockers are also commonly used. Histamine blockers obstruct the production of stomach acids by alienating the actions of histamine. Histamine is a chemical in the body that
promotes the production and secretion of acids in the stomach. Anti-histamines are available even without a prescription and offers relief of symptoms in most of the patients with frequent acid reflux. Patients have to wait for
30 to 90 minutes for these drugs to take effect. But their effect also lasts six to 24 hours. In cases of severe symptoms, a patient may have to take two dosages a day. In some researches,
histamine blockers have shown to
improve asthmatic symptoms in those who endure from both
acid reflux and
asthma.
Proton pump inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors are also employed as a medication. They act to trim down the
production of stomach acids by reacting with the cells found in the stomach wall which produce and release acids into the stomach. However, researches have revealed that the use of proton pump inhibitors poses some concerns.
Side effects, although uncommon, include
diarrhea, headache, itching, and nausea. Moreover, these drugs should also not be taken by pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
Agents
Another medication that is generally handled is the use of
agents which
protect the mucous lining in the
gastrointestinal region. This kind of drug acts by attaching to an ulcer crater so that it will be guarded against damage caused by
digestive acids. It is advisable for people
undergoing maintenance therapy with
mild or moderate acid reflux conditions. Likewise, it has minor side effects, including
constipation.
Anti-spasm Drugs
Anti-spasm drugs are also utilized to
prevent acid and even non-acid reflux. A gamma-amino acid butyric acid agonist, an
anti-spasm drug is generally used to
abate the spasms in the muscles. Unlike most medicines used for acid reflux, it can also
lessen non-acid refluxes and
amplify the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter, a muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach and prevents backing up of stomach contents.
DISCLAIMER
All the content on this blog, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, are solely to provide information only. Any information/statements on this blog are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should NOT be a substitute for health and medical advice that can be provided by your own physician/medical doctor. We at Nano Singapore Shop, encourage you to consult a doctor before making any health or diet changes, especially any changes related to a specific diagnosis or condition.