Acid Reflux Medication

Acid reflux is when the contents of the stomach and the acid produced, flow back up to the oesophagus causing chest pain. This occurs due to the weakening of the oesophageal sphincter, which fails to close or tighten once food is swallowed.

Simple measures for controlling acid reflux such as keeping your weight down, avoiding large meals and consuming alcohol particularly at night, or even lying propped up in bed to ease the symptoms, are often just not enough.

We at The Online Surgery recommend simple antacids such as Gaviscon or Peptac; Proton-pump inhibitors such as Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, Pantoprazole and Esomeprazole; or H2 receptor antagonists, such as Ranitidine and Zantac. Further if you have tested positive for helicobacter we can prescribe helicobacter, triple eradication therapy for you.

These can all be ordered from us and delivered straight to your home.

Offer on theonlinesurgery

Acid Reflux > H2RAs

Ranitidine

Ranitidine tablets belong to a class of medicines called “H2-antagonists”. They reduce the amount of acid in the stomach and are used to treat ulcers in the stomach, stop them from bleeding and treat other problems caused due to acid movement in the food p... read more

£17.89

Acid Reflux > PPIs

Esomeprazole Tablets

Esomeprazole is used to treat peptic disorders of the stomach. It comes from the class of medicines known as proton pump inhibitors and works by reducing the level of acid production in your stomach. It is licensed to be used to: - Treat stomach ulcers caused... read more

£23.74

Lansoprazole Capsules

Lansoprazole is gastro-resistant capsules. Lansoprazole belongs to a group of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors. It is used to heal and prevent ulcers in the stomach and gut caused by certain drugs. It also helps to heal Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux disease. ... read more

£17.65

Losec

Losec is available in the form of capsules and is useful treating acid-related diseases in intestines and stomach. It comes under the class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors. It is used for prevention of stomach and duodenal ulcers, treatment of the sy... read more

£26.35

Nexium

Nexium tablets contain a medicine called esomeprazole. This belongs to a group of medicines called proton pump inhibitors (PPI). These work by reducing the amount of acid that your stomach produces. It is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) an... read more

£52.88

Omeprazole Capsules

Omeprazole is a medication used to reduce the amount of acid produced within the stomach. Omeprazole elevates the amount of acid produced in the stomach. It is available as dispensable tablets, capsules and injection. It is a proton pump inhibitor used for pre... read more

£17.65

Pantoprazole Tablets

Pantoprazole is available in the form of tablets and is useful treating acid-related diseases in intestines and stomach.It comes under the class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors. It is used for - Prevention of stomach and duodenal ulcers caused by ... read more

£18.16

Protium Powder

Protium is useful for treating acid-related diseases in intestines and stomach. It comes under the class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors. It is used for prevention of stomach and duodenal ulcers, treatment of the symptoms caused due to gastro-oesopha... read more

£56.85

Zoton

The active ingredient in Zoton is lansoprazole, which is a proton pump inhibitor. Proton pump inhibitors reduce the amount of acid that your stomach makes. The medication is used to treat peptic ulcers in adults. Depending on the position of the ulcer, it is e... read more

£20.78

What is Acid Reflux?

At the bottom of the oesophagus is a ring of muscle known as the oesophageal sphincter. Normally the sphincter protects the oesophagus from the contents of the stomach by acting as a valve. It relaxes while swallowing, to allow food to pass through and tightens to prevent flow in the opposite direction.

Acid reflux is caused when the muscle relaxes between swallows or doesn’t close all the way, allowing the stomach contents and acid to flow back up, causing chest pain, an unpleasant taste in the back of the mouth and damage to the lining of the oesophagus.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common condition experienced by many who face acid reflux more than twice a week. While for some it is an occasional nuisance for others it can be a severe life-long problem. The condition usually occurs as the oesophageal sphincter weakens, unable to tighten and close as required, and can be controlled with medication.

The main symptoms of this condition are experiencing heartburn and regurgitation of stomach contents and acid into the oesophagus.

Heartburn
Heartburn is an uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest. It is usually felt behind the chest bone but can spread to the throat for some people, resulting in a bitter taste. It is usually worse after eating, while bending or just lying down.

Acid reflux
When acid and other stomach contents are regurgitated into your throat and mouth, causing an unpleasant sour taste at the back of the mouth.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease can present with further symptoms;

- Sore, inflamed oesophagus
- Bad breath
- Feeling or being sick
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing
- Persistent cough or wheezing, which is worse at night
- Tooth decay/gum disease

Acid reflux is essentially caused by the oesophageal sphincter becoming weak, allowing acid and stomach contents to leak back up into your oesophagus. There are numerous factors that can cause or influence the weakening and relaxing of the sphincter muscle.

Being overweight or obese: It places an increased pressure on your stomach and weakens the ring of muscle at the bottom of the oesophagus.

Eating large amounts of fatty foods: The stomach takes longer to get rid of stomach acid after digesting a fatty meal and the resulting excess acid may leak up into the oesophagus

Helicobacter Pylori: A type of bacteria in the stomach that can contribute to the acid build up.

Lifestyle: Habits of smoking, excessive alcohol, coffee or chocolate may relax the muscles at the bottom of the oesophagus

Pregnancy: Temporary changes in hormone levels and increased pressure on your stomach during pregnancy.

Hiatus Hernia: When part of your stomach pushes up through the diaphragm.

Gastroparesis: When the stomach takes longer to get rid of stomach acid, which means excess acid can leak up into the oesophagus more easily.

Medicines: Some medicines can cause GORD or make the symptoms worse, including calcium-channel blockers for high blood pressure, nitrates for chest pain and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Stress

Family history: Genes inherited may affect your chance of developing the condition.

Acid reflux and GORD can be diagnosed by your doctor based on the symptoms you experience, its duration and severity.

To confirm the diagnosis and determine the underlying cause if your symptoms are persistent and severe, further investigations might be arranged.

Endoscopy
A long thin, flexible tube with a light and camera at one end is inserted through the mouth down the throat, to examine the inside of your body. It can reveal if the surface of your oesophagus has been damaged by stomach acid.

Barium swallow or barium meal
You are given barium solution, after which x rays are taken. This test assesses your swallowing ability and looks for blockages or abnormalities in the oesophagus.

Manometry
To assess how well the oesophageal spinchter is working, by measuring pressure in the oesophagus. A small tube is passed up the nose and down the oesophagus, containing pressure sensors.

pH monitoring
A device inserted into your oesophagus and left for 1-2 days to measure the amount of acid in the oesophagus.

Blood tests
To check for anaemia which can be a sign of internal bleeding.

Acid reflux can be managed with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, keeping your weight down, avoiding large meals and alcohol at night. If such measures are ineffective or not enough to manage your condition we have treatment options available to you.

Antacids
To control the acid levels in your stomach, by neutralising it and therefore relieving symptoms of heartburn.
This includes Gaviscon and Peptac.

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs)
These medicines work by reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach. It is effective in controlling symptoms, and is taken on a long-term basis for some people.
This includes Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, Pantoprazole and Esomeprazole.

H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs)
When PPIs are unable to control your symptoms, H2RAs may be recommended to take alongside them on a short-term basis, or as an alternative. It works to reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach, reducing the chances of leakage and damage to the oesophagus.
This includes Ranitidine.

doctor image

Dr. Helen Webberley

Private GP consultation

If you cannot find your condition or treatment listed here, you can order a private GP consultation with our expert doctor.

Consult Now

What people say about The Online Surgery    TheOnlineSurgery reviews on feefo