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Medications for GERD

Other names: Acid reflux; Esophageal Reflux; Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease; Heartburn; Pyrosis; Reflux

What is GERD:  Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is when food or liquid travels from the stomach back up into the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach). This partially digested material is usually acidic and can irritate the esophagus, often causing heartburn and other symptoms.

See also: sub-topics

Medications to treat GERD

The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rx / OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol Reviews Rating Popularity
omeprazole Rx/OTC C N 78 reviews
8.0

Generic name: omeprazole systemic

Brand names:  Prilosec, Prilosec OTC

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Nexium Rx C N 75 reviews
8.0

Generic name: esomeprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Protonix Rx B N 31 reviews
7.0

Generic name: pantoprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Aciphex Rx B N 30 reviews
9.0

Generic name: rabeprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
pantoprazole Rx B N 70 reviews
7.0

Generic name: pantoprazole systemic

Brand names:  Protonix, Protonix IV

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Dexilant Rx B N 91 reviews
7.0

Generic name: dexlansoprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Prilosec Rx C N 23 reviews
8.0

Generic name: omeprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
ranitidine Rx/OTC B N 58 reviews
8.0

Generic name: ranitidine systemic

Brand names:  Zantac, Zantac 150, Zantac 300, Zantac 75, Deprizine, Acid Reducer Non-Prescription Strength, Acid Relief, Berkley and Jensen Acid Reducer Maximum Strength, Careone Acid Reducer, Equaline Heartburn Relief, Sunmark Acid Reducer Maximum Strength, Taladine, Zantac 25 mg EFFERdose, Zantac 150 EFFERdose, Zantac EFFERdose, Zantac Injection …

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Prilosec OTC OTC C N 10 reviews
9.0

Generic name: omeprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

 
Prevacid Rx/OTC B N 38 reviews
8.0

Generic name: lansoprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Zantac Rx/OTC B N 14 reviews
7.0

Generic name: ranitidine systemic

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Zantac 150 Rx/OTC B N 19 reviews
8.0

Generic name: ranitidine systemic

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
lansoprazole Rx/OTC B N 49 reviews
8.0

Generic name: lansoprazole systemic

Brand names:  Prevacid, Prevacid SoluTab, Prevacid OTC, Prevacid IV …

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Pepcid Rx B N 2 reviews
6.0

Generic name: famotidine systemic

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
famotidine Rx/OTC B N 10 reviews
6.0

Generic name: famotidine systemic

Brand names:  Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Acid Controller Maximum Strength, Acid Controller Original Strength, Acid Reducer Maximum Strength, Acid Reducer Original Strength, Heartburn Relief, Heartburn Relief Maximum Strength, Pepcid AC Chewable Tablets, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength Tablets, Pepcid Oral Suspension …

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
esomeprazole Rx/OTC C N 81 reviews
8.0

Generic name: esomeprazole systemic

Brand names:  Nexium, Nexium 24HR, Nexium IV

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Tagamet Rx/OTC B N X Add review
10

Generic name: cimetidine systemic

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

 
rabeprazole Rx B N 33 reviews
9.0

Generic name: rabeprazole systemic

Brand names:  Aciphex, Aciphex Sprinkle

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Mylanta OTC N N 1 review
10

Generic name: aluminum hydroxide / magnesium hydroxide / simethicone systemic

Drug class: antacids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

 
Zantac 300 Rx/OTC B N 2 reviews
9.0

Generic name: ranitidine systemic

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

 
Zegerid Rx C N 11 reviews
8.0

Generic name: omeprazole / sodium bicarbonate systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
omeprazole / sodium bicarbonate Rx/OTC C N 17 reviews
8.0

Generic name: omeprazole / sodium bicarbonate systemic

Brand names:  Zegerid, Zegerid OTC

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, Prescribing Information

 
Pepcid AC OTC B N Add review
1.0

Generic name: famotidine systemic

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

 
Protonix IV Rx B N 1 review
8.0

Generic name: pantoprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

 
Zantac 75 Rx/OTC B N Add review
8.0

Generic name: ranitidine systemic

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

 
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Topics under GERD

Alternative treatments for GERD

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for GERD. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of GERD.

Learn more about GERD

Micromedex® Care Notes

Symptom checker

Symptoms and treatments

Drugs.com Health Center

Mayo Clinic Reference

Legend

Off Label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
Prescription Only / Over the Counter
Rx Prescription Only
OTC Over the Counter
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over the Counter
Pregnancy
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act Schedule
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

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