Acid Reflux Treatment

You have asked to review a more potent treatment for GERD.

If you have daily or prolonged symptoms, you can benefit from over-the-counter or prescription medicines on our second step. Step 2 medicines both relieve and prevent symptoms. Use Step 2 drugs either on an as-needed basis, daily, or twice daily depending on your need. These medicines bring fairly fast relief, although they do not work as quickly as the Step 1 antacids.

Step 2: Drugs for GERD

Acid blockers of medium potency

These medications, called "H2 blockers", are available over-the-counter or in higher dose by prescription. They reduce the production of acid by the stomach. Examples include famotidine (Pepcid), ranitidine (Zantac), and cimetidine (Tagamet). Some people, particularly older individuals, may experience side effects of mild fatigue, confusion or memory loss.

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Online Medical Reviewer: Faculty of Harvard Medical School Date Last Reviewed: 8/18/2006 Date Last Modified: 8/7/2006 Source: from Harvard Health Decision Guides, Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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