Acid reflux is essentially the backward flow of your stomach acid into your esophagus and can severely affect your quality of life. If you find that lifestyle changes and over-the-counter remedies have just not afforded you that satisfactory feeling, perhaps it is time to turn to prescription options. Medications are available for the management of symptoms and, in turn, will make one far more comfortable.
Personalized Care
Understanding the different kinds of prescription medications available is key to effectively controlling acid reflux. When you go to your doctor, they will more than likely run a few tests to measure the level of your acids. They also tend to ask how frequent and how bad your symptoms are, something that is very vital in crafting a treatment specific to your unique needs. This way, your doctor can contextualize his knowledge and prescribe these medicines in relation to your case.
Meanwhile, it is equally important to discuss possible interactions between acid reflux medications with any other prescription you might be taking. This will not only affect the efficacy of your treatment but can even worsen symptoms. Your healthcare professional can instruct you further as to the right combination and type of medications that will work in conjunction towards the achievement of your general health objectives, since this approach respects the integrity of your wholeness.
Common Classes of Prescription Medications
The most prescribed categories of drugs for acid reflux are Proton Pump Inhibitors, or PPIs. Particular medicines target excess stomach acid production, and their key benefits make them of special value to patients with chronic acid reflux along with high levels of acid in the stomach. Treatment using PPIs is also effective in curing stomach ulcers that may lead to problems with reflux (Shin & Sachs, 2008).
Once the patient has a problem with having slower digestion, food movement, or acid stays longer in the stomach, then this is the time when promotional drugs can be recommended. These drugs accelerate gastric emptying, thus enabling the reduction of the time of the stomach carrying acid, therefore minimizing the possibility of the recurrence of acid reflux episodes.
The other useful category of medicine comprises H2 blockers. They act by inhibiting the secretion of acid and prevent its entry into the esophagus, thus giving symptomatic relief. H2 blockers are usually preferred because they are inexpensive, effective, and with lighter side effects compared to other categories (H2 Blockers: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, n.d.).
All prescription acid reflux medications are available to be taken by mouth. Some are formulated to be taken once daily, while others must be taken twice daily. Consistency will help best manage your acid reflux; so it is important to take medication at the same time every day. If you prefer less frequent options, there are a few medications that can be given once a month by injection in a medical office.
Side Effects
While medications can most definitely help acid reflux, they also come with a whole list of side effects depending on the type of prescription and individual tolerance. These include headaches, diarrhea, stomach cramps, constipation, dizziness, ankle swelling, muscle ache, and joint pain. If these side effects persist for more than a couple of weeks, make a return to your healthcare provider for a reevaluation of options regarding treatment.
Less common, but more serious, side effects include rashes, blurred vision, uncontrollable itching, confusion, or hallucinations. These are potentially very serious and could be the signs of an allergic reaction. You will need to seek immediate medical attention. Some of these medications can even cause erectile dysfunction in men.
Dosage
You will be required to take your acid reflux medication dosages as instructed. Symptoms tend to vanish for most patients in a somewhat short time. If you are not feeling some positive changes at all, this is a feeling you should convey to your doctor. It may be a little like trial and error to find the exact treatment, but it is achievable through perseverance added to professional advice in finding an effective solution that brings relief in your symptoms of acid reflux while reducing side effects.
You will, in turn, be able to get a grasp on your acid reflux by working in tandem with your health provider and improving your quality of life.
References
H2 blockers: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Medlineplus.gov. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000382.htm
Shin, J. M., & Sachs, G. (2008). Pharmacology of proton pump inhibitors. Current Gastroenterology Reports, 10(6), 528–534. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-008-0098-4
