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Medications for GERD

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

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 Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
omeprazole 4.8 251 reviews
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: omeprazole systemic

Brand names:  Prilosec, Prilosec OTC

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

pantoprazole 4.5 247 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: pantoprazole systemic

Brand names:  Protonix, Protonix IV

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Nexium 5.5 152 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: esomeprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Protonix 6.5 50 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: pantoprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

famotidine 3.8 88 reviews
Rx/OTC B N

Generic name: famotidine systemic

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

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Prilosec 6.7 37 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: omeprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Dexilant 6.2 162 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: dexlansoprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Aciphex 9.3 36 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: rabeprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Prilosec OTC 8.5 14 reviews
OTC C N

Generic name: omeprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

lansoprazole 6.6 93 reviews
Rx/OTC B N

Generic name: lansoprazole systemic

Brand names:  Prevacid, Prevacid SoluTab, Prevacid OTC

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Prevacid 7.8 44 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: lansoprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

esomeprazole 5.5 184 reviews
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: esomeprazole systemic

Brand names:  Nexium, Nexium 24HR, Nexium IV

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Pepcid 6.8 4 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: famotidine systemic

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

rabeprazole 8.1 52 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: rabeprazole systemic

Brand names:  Aciphex, Aciphex Sprinkle

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

sucralfate 6.4 84 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: sucralfate systemic

Brand name:  Carafate

Drug class: miscellaneous GI agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Pepcid AC Rate Add review
OTC B N

Generic name: famotidine systemic

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Carafate 6.4 23 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: sucralfate systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous GI agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Nexium 24HR 9.7 4 reviews
OTC C N

Generic name: esomeprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Protonix IV 9.0 1 review
Rx B N

Generic name: pantoprazole systemic

Drug class: proton pump inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Acid Controller Maximum Strength Rate Add review
OTC B N

Generic name: famotidine systemic

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Acid Controller Original Strength Rate Add review
OTC B N

Generic name: famotidine systemic

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Acid Reducer Maximum Strength Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N

Generic name: famotidine systemic

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Heartburn Relief Rate Add review
OTC B N

Generic name: famotidine systemic

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Pepcid AC Chewable Tablets 10 1 review
OTC B N

Generic name: famotidine systemic

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

cimetidine 7.5 8 reviews
Rx/OTC B N X

Generic name: cimetidine systemic

Brand name:  Tagamet HB

Drug class: H2 antagonists

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

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

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
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.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
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
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
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.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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