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Medications for GERD

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

About 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

Drugs Used 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 C N 111 reviews
7.7

Generic name: omeprazole systemic

Brand names:  Prilosec, Prilosec OTC

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

pantoprazole B N 118 reviews
6.7

Generic name: pantoprazole systemic

Brand names:  Protonix, Protonix IV

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

Nexium C N 93 reviews
7.5

Generic name: esomeprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

ranitidine B N 85 reviews
7.8

Generic name: ranitidine systemic

Brand names:  Zantac, Zantac 150, Acid Reducer Non-Prescription Strength, Deprizine, Acid Relief, Berkley and Jensen Acid Reducer Maximum Strength, Careone Acid Reducer, Equaline Heartburn Relief, Sunmark Acid Reducer Maximum Strength, Zantac Injection …show all

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

Protonix B N 43 reviews
7.9

Generic name: pantoprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Prilosec C N 27 reviews
8.0

Generic name: omeprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Dexilant B N 132 reviews
6.6

Generic name: dexlansoprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Aciphex B N 33 reviews
9.4

Generic name: rabeprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Prilosec OTC C N 11 reviews
9.1

Generic name: omeprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

famotidine B N 14 reviews
6.6

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 Oral Suspension …show all

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

Prevacid B N 39 reviews
8.7

Generic name: lansoprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

lansoprazole B N 56 reviews
7.8

Generic name: lansoprazole systemic

Brand names:  Prevacid, Prevacid SoluTab, Prevacid OTC

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

Zantac B N 18 reviews
7.5

Generic name: ranitidine systemic

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

esomeprazole C N 104 reviews
7.5

Generic name: esomeprazole systemic

Brand names:  Nexium, Nexium 24HR, Nexium IV

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

Zantac 150 B N 32 reviews
8.1

Generic name: ranitidine systemic

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

rabeprazole B N 40 reviews
8.7

Generic name: rabeprazole systemic

Brand names:  Aciphex, Aciphex Sprinkle

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

Pepcid B N 2 reviews
6.3

Generic name: famotidine systemic

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Tagamet 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

dexlansoprazole B N 161 reviews
6.9

Generic name: dexlansoprazole systemic

Brand name:  Dexilant

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

sucralfate B N 35 reviews
6.5

Generic name: sucralfate systemic

Brand name:  Carafate

Drug class: miscellaneous GI agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

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

Carafate B N 11 reviews
5.9

Generic name: sucralfate systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous GI agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Mylanta N N 1 review
10

Generic name: aluminum hydroxide / magnesium hydroxide / simethicone systemic

Drug class: antacids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

omeprazole / sodium bicarbonate C N 24 reviews
8.4

Generic name: omeprazole / sodium bicarbonate systemic

Brand names:  Zegerid, Zegerid OTC

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, Prescribing Information

Pepcid AC B N Add review
1.0

Generic name: famotidine systemic

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Protonix IV B N 1 review
8.8

Generic name: pantoprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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.

Legend

Rx Prescription Only
OTC Over the Counter
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over the Counter
Off Label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
Pregnancy Category
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 (CSA) 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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