1,2 Some small dose H 2RAs are also available OTC. Medications such as Maalox®, Tums®, and Pepto-Bismol® neutralize acid, and another product, Gaviscon®, neutralizes stomach acid and forms a barrier to block acid rising into the esophagus. These can also be helpful for those who have GERD, for those times when they notice that their ongoing treatment is temporarily not enough. They offer quick relief for occasional heartburn, and are available at any drug store or grocery chain. Most of those who have experienced heartburn are familiar with OTC medicines. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) work by blocking an enzyme necessary for acid secretion and include omeprazole (Losec®) lansoprazole (Prevacid®), pantoprazole sodium (Pantoloc®), esomeprazole (Nexium®), rabeprazole (Pariet®), pantoprazole magnesium (Tecta®), and dual delayed release dexlansoprazole (Dexilant®).

Histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H 2RAs) work by blocking the effect of histamine, which stimulates certain cells in the stomach to produce acid, and include cimetidine (Tagamet®), ranitidine (Zantac®), famotidine (Pepcid®), and nizatidine (Axid®).

These are for treating GERD, not occasional heartburn, and include two types of medications that supress acid production. However, please consult your physician if you have any questions or concerns. If you only experience heartburn infrequently, usually after specific triggers, and you don’t experience the other symptoms of GERD, it is likely that you are just experiencing bouts of heartburn. If you experience these symptoms of GERD, please consult your physician, because the treatment for this disease is more complex than the treatment for occasional heartburn and will likely involve prescription medicines. Untreated and persistent GERD can also lead to more harmful diseases such as esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal cancer. Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD, but other symptoms include persistent sore throat, hoarseness, chronic coughing, frequent throat clearing, difficult or painful swallowing, asthma, unexplained chest pain, bad breath, erosion of enamel on teeth, a feeling of a lump in the throat, and an uncomfortable feeling of fullness after meals. GERD is a chronic condition defined by an improperly functioning sphincter between the esophagus and stomach (lower esophageal sphincter), which causes stomach contents to regularly push up into the esophagus. The first step in finding the right treatment involves understanding the differences between heartburn and GERD. With such a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) treatments, miscellaneous herbal or other natural remedies, and prescription medications available, choosing the right treatment can be an adventure. It might be difficult to figure out what to do when heartburn strikes. However, when heartburn becomes frequent and chronic, it is likely a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Occasional heartburn might result after a large holiday meal, or a night out drinking alcohol and eating greasy food, or perhaps from not having eaten recently enough. It is that familiar burning sensation behind the breastbone resulting from acidic stomach contents rising into the esophagus (acid reflux). Heartburn is a common problem that affects many Canadians at one time or another. Natural and Over-the-Counter Heartburn Treatments Do They Work?

Natural remedies for heart burn