Doing what you can to change your lifestyle and relieve acid reflux with over-the-counter products is an excellent place to start. However, if you’re not getting the results you’re looking for, then it may be time to take more aggressive action. Your doctor can prescribe several classes of prescription mediation for you.
It’s important to understand that the various prescription medications for acid reflux fall into categories based on how they work. That’s why your doctor will run tests to determine how much acid is in your body. Your doctor will question the severity of your acid reflux and how often you deal with it. That way, they can get you prescription drugs that will work well for you.
Sometimes these various acid reflux medications can affect how well other types of drugs you need to take work. That is why you should discuss such concerns with your doctor. They will be able to help you find the right combination of medications, so you get what your body needs to be healthy in every way.
Proton pump inhibitors are often called PPIs. These prescription acid reflux medications prevent too much acid from forming in your stomach. This is a common medication for those people who continually suffer from acid reflux due to their bodies producing too much acid. They may also suffer from ulcers in the stomach region that can trigger chronic acid reflux.
People with a slower digestion system can have acid sitting in the stomach and backing up into the esophagus. In such cases, promotional drugs are offered. They were increasing the speed of digestion in the body so that the acid doesn’t stay there as long as it used to.
There are also H2 blockers that prevent acid from reaching the esophagus. They are the most common prescription acid reflux medication offered to patients. This is because they are affordable, effective, and have the fewest side effects that can make a person uncomfortable.
All prescription medications for acid reflux can be taken orally. Some of them must be taken once a day, while others must be taken twice daily. It’s best to take them simultaneously each day to offset acid reflux. Some people choose to get a monthly injection at the doctor’s office instead of trying to remember to take their pills daily.
While many people get results from prescription acid reflux medications, they also have side effects. You may not find them, but many people do. You may have only one or two of them, or you may suffer from many of them. The severity of them will also vary by individual. Inform your doctor if the side effects don’t disappear in a couple of weeks. The medications you use for acid reflux may need to be changed.
Some common side effects associated with the various prescription medications for acid reflux include headache, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, constipation, dizziness, swollen ankles, muscle aches, and joint pain. Suppose you experience side effects such as rash, blurred vision, uncontrollable itching, confusion, or hallucinations. In that case, you should seek medical attention immediately as you may have an allergic reaction to the medication. Some men have reported impotence due to using specific prescription medications for acid reflux.
Always take prescription acid reflux medications as directed. You should start to see results in a brief period of time. If it doesn’t, let your doctor know. Finding the right product that offers you relief from acid reflux and has side effects you can live with may take some time.