Best pills for heartburn

Almost every one of us at least once in a lifetime felt a painful and excruciating burning sensation behind the sternum, aggravated by a change in body position. This is heartburn, but it is important to emphasize right away that this is not an independent disease, but only a pathological symptom of various digestive problems, changes in the anatomy of the abdominal cavity or metabolic disorders

Most often, heartburn occurs as a result of the so-called GER – gastroesophageal reflux, or, more simply, the reverse reflux of food masses and hydrochloric acid from the stomach into the lumen of the esophagus. This is possible both in healthy people, if you overeat and immediately lay down on the sofa, and in patients with various digestive and other diseases.

It is important to understand that heartburn is a kind of signal to the body: “something is wrong with the stomach”, so you need to alleviate the condition with the development of this unpleasant symptom, and at the same time look for the cause, treat it under the guidance of a gastroenterologist. It is he who should select the heartburn pills for you, which will be most suitable in each specific situation.

Today, there are many different drugs for heartburn, which have a different form of release. These are suspensions in bottles and individual sachets, chewable tablets or capsules that need to be swallowed whole. Choosing the best pills for heartburn is not easy, it is important to look at the composition of the drug and the principle of action, as well as take into account the cause of heartburn, age and many other criteria.

Rating of the top 10 inexpensive and effective pills for heartburn according to KP

Considering the fact that antisecretory drugs have a number of contraindications, and they are not so active in relation to heartburn that has already occurred, we will dwell in detail on antacids that eliminate burning and pain the fastest, and analyze the most popular and recommended remedies by specialists.

1. Maalox

In addition to fruit-flavored chewable tablets (including sugar-free tablets for diabetics), it is available in the form of vials or individual suspension sachets. It is released without a prescription – it has a complex composition with two active ingredients – algeldrate and magnesium hydroxide.

Effectively eliminates heartburn almost immediately after taking, having a neutralizing effect on excess hydrochloric acid. In addition, the drug helps to inhibit the re-production of hydrochloric acid by the stomach, and exhibits an adsorbing effect. The drug works only locally, without being resorbed into the blood plasma.

It is used for heartburn, which occurs:

• as a symptom of GERD, gastritis and peptic ulcer;
• against the background of irrational nutrition, overeating, the use of sour, spicy, irritating dishes;
• as a side effect of certain medications (such as hormones);
• during pregnancy.

We allow reception during the day or at night, strictly according to the instructions.

Prohibited for use in children under 15 years of age, people with an allergy to fructose, with kidney damage should not be taken.

2. Gaviscon

In addition to chewable tablets with flavors, dual-action tablets, it is in the form of a suspension, including in individual dosed sachets. It is dispensed from pharmacies without a prescription, has a combined composition of three active ingredients – calcium carbonate, sodium alginate with sodium bicarbonate.

Getting into the stomach and binding with hydrochloric acid, it forms a gel of neutral properties, which suppresses irritation of the mucous membrane and covers it with a thin enveloping film. It prevents the contents from being thrown from the stomach into the esophagus. Heartburn begins to pass within 5 – 6 minutes after taking the dose, but the tablets act somewhat more slowly than the suspension. On average, the effect lasts up to 4-5 hours.

The drug is used:

• with the development of GERD with frequent heartburn;
• during pregnancy in any trimester;
• against the background of overeating and eating irritating food.

The tablet must be thoroughly chewed before swallowing, more than 4 doses should not be taken per day.

With frequent use, especially in pregnant women, it can sometimes provoke constipation. Not for use in children, people on a salt-free diet, kidney problems or phenylketonuria.

3. Rennie

The drug is in the form of chewable tablets with fruit flavors, mint (including without sugar) with a combination of two active ingredients – calcium and magnesium carbonate. Released without a prescription. When it enters the stomach, it binds excess acid, neutralizing its irritating effect. Stimulates the production of protective mucus by the walls of the stomach, eliminating irritation of the walls of the organ. It is excreted through the intestines and partially by the kidneys.

It applies to:

• during pregnancy from the 2nd trimester;
• in the treatment of peptic ulcer and gastritis with high acidity, as part of complex therapy;
• when overeating, eating irritating food;
• with GERD.

Begins to act after 3-5 minutes, has a long-lasting effect, up to 5-6 hours. The tablet must be thoroughly chewed before swallowing, do not drink.

Prohibited for use in patients with severe renal impairment and urolithiasis. Diabetics need to take the form of sugar-free tablets.

4. Rutacid

The drug is in the form of chewable tablets containing one active ingredient – hydrotalcite. The concentration of the active substance is low, so the remedy is used even in children from 6 years old. Ingestion of the drug into the stomach leads to the neutralization of acidic pH, the synthesis of gastric juice, pepsin and hydrochloric acid decreases.

Indicated for heartburn:

• in pregnant women at any time and lactating;
• with gastritis with high acidity, including for prophylactic purposes;
• with erosive and ulcerative lesions, it also has a healing effect.

The course of treatment should be carried out up to 4 weeks. The tablet is drunk without chewing, it dissolves in the stomach. It has an analgesic and heartburn-relieving effect, it is impossible to overdose, it has a pleasant taste. The drug has a long-term effect and does not form a withdrawal syndrome.

It is forbidden for kidney problems, with severe lesions of the digestive tract, the effect will be weak. Plus, the pills are taken several times a day as the effect of the previous dose weakens.

5. Gastricide

A complex preparation produced in the form of chewable tablets, which has two components in its composition – algeldrate and magnesium hydroxide. Sold without a prescription. When it enters the stomach, the drug neutralizes the acid and inhibits the production of new portions of gastric juice. Begins to work in 5 minutes, the maximum effect is achieved within an hour. Often you need to take no more than one tablet per day, the course of treatment is up to 20 days.

Shown:

• with poor nutrition, drinking alcohol and excess coffee;
• in the treatment of gastritis and ulcerative lesions;
• in the complex therapy of GERD;
• for the prevention of lesions of the stomach while taking NSAIDs;
• in pregnant women.

It has a mild effect, is easy to take, protects mucous membranes from irritation.

But the drug is not suitable for people with urolithiasis, side effects are possible with prolonged use – increased heartburn to cancel.

6. Gastal

The drug in the form of lozenges is sold in a pharmacy without a prescription. It contains hydrochloric acid neutralizing aluminum hydroxide-magnesium carbonate gel and magnesium hydroxide. This is a combined remedy for reducing the acidity of gastric juice.

Indications:

• with pain and discomfort in the stomach;
• when sour eructation is present;
• with heartburn;
• if there are digestive disorders;
• with diaphragmatic hernia;
• if a disease with increased acid production, such as gastritis or stomach ulcers, is diagnosed, the drug is prescribed in combination with other drugs.

Gastal is contraindicated in persons with renal insufficiency, with Alzheimer’s disease and children under 6 years of age.

7. Stop Heartburn

Dietary supplement Stop-Izzhoks is available in the form of chewable tablets with different flavors (lemon, raspberry, mint). The action of the drug is similar to all antacids – getting into the stomach, calcium and magnesium carbonate neutralizes excess hydrochloric acid and protects the mucous membrane of the main organ of the digestive system.

Used for:

• heartburn and belching;
• periodic pain in the stomach;
• flatulence;
• if you feel heaviness and fullness in the stomach.

Taking the pill is best combined with a meal. It is released without a prescription, but only for adult patients – due to unproven safety and efficacy, the drug is contraindicated for children.

8. Motilium

There are three forms of Motilium in pharmacies: ready-made suspension for oral administration, lozenges and classic film-coated tablets. The antiemetic substance Domperidone in the composition of the drug accelerates gastric emptying, increases the pressure of the sphincter of the lower esophagus.

Indications:

• heartburn, belching;
• pain in the upper abdomen;
• swelling;
• nausea, vomiting.

Motilium is recommended to be used at least 15 minutes before meals. Before use, a specialist consultation is necessary due to the fact that the drug has many contraindications: liver disorders, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, prolactinoma, taking erythromycin and other drugs. There are not enough studies of the result of using Motilium during pregnancy and during breastfeeding, and therefore the drug is not prescribed for the treatment of heartburn in this group of patients.

9. Simalgel

Another antacid drug for heartburn relief. The dosage form is one – a suspension for oral administration. The active ingredients include simethicone, which fights increased gas formation, and algadrate and magnesium hydroxide bind bile acids, neutralize the cause of heartburn – free hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Indications for admission are as follows:

• discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract caused by heartburn, erosions and ulcers of the gastric mucosa;
• gastritis;
• duodenitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the duodenum).

Contraindications include age up to 10 years, sucrose deficiency, impaired renal function, Alzheimer’s disease and fructose intolerance. The drug is used with caution during pregnancy and lactation, as well as in various diseases of the brain.

10. Extinguishes

Completes the top 10 best pills for heartburn another antacid drug – Quench. Calcium and magnesium carbonate as part of this remedy in 3-5 minutes have a therapeutic effect on heartburn and stomach discomfort. The convenient form of release in the form of chewable tablets allows you to take the drug anywhere, even if you do not have a glass of water at hand.

Indications:

• all symptoms caused by hyperacidity;
• pain in the stomach;
• heaviness, a feeling of fullness.

Do not take the drug to persons under 12 years of age and those with severe renal insufficiency. During pregnancy and breastfeeding Questing is allowed, it is important to follow the dosage.

How to choose pills for heartburn

According to the principle of action, all drugs that eliminate heartburn are divided into two large classes:

Antacids. Their main function is to neutralize the acid already formed in the stomach so that it does not irritate the mucous membranes of the organ itself and is not thrown into the esophagus.

Antisecretory agents. These drugs do not help as quickly, but they suppress the excess production of acid by the cells of the stomach, preventing the production of excess acid.

Often, in the treatment of digestive problems accompanied by heartburn, these drugs are combined, and antacids are used as an emergency remedy when it is already burning, and antisecretory ones are used to prevent new attacks of heartburn.

The use of any medicine for heartburn should, of course, consult with your doctor and determine which of the medicines is most safe and effective. This is especially important for pregnant women, in whom heartburn is not uncommon. If heartburn began to occur frequently, it is associated with the intake of certain foods or dishes, immediately consult a doctor, you need to be treated.

The criteria for choosing drugs against heartburn are the following characteristics:

• type of drug – in addition to antisecretory and antacid drugs, alginates, stimulants of digestive motility, gastroprotective drugs can become auxiliary drugs for heartburn;
• the composition of a particular drug is the active components and additional, enhancing the effect;
• therapeutic characteristics are the speed and severity of the onset effect, the duration of its preservation after taking a dose of the drug;
• safety when taking – possible side effects, possible toxicity and risks for certain groups of people;
• contraindications and individual intolerance to the components;
• the possibility of interaction with drugs from other groups – increased toxic effects or (more often) neutralization of the action of certain drugs;
• release form and ease of administration: bottled syrups are convenient for the home, they are easy to take, but inconvenient to carry; Individual suspension sachets or chewable tablets are more convenient for mobile patients, but sometimes people do not like the taste of the drug.

Admission to certain categories of patients is another important characteristic, especially when it comes to pregnant, lactating women or children, the elderly with a number of chronic pathologies.

And of course, you need to consider the combination of price and quality, as well as efficiency.

Popular questions and answers

We discussed with gastroenterologist Elena Mezentseva first aid issues for heartburn, its potential causes and the admissibility of self-treatment in this condition.