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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.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
omeprazole 4.6 276 reviews for omeprazole to treat GERD
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 4.7 266 reviews for pantoprazole to treat GERD
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 5.6 156 reviews for Nexium to treat GERD
Rx C N
Generic name:
esomeprazole systemic
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
famotidine 3.5 104 reviews for famotidine to treat GERD
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, Heartburn Relief Maximum Strength, Pepcid AC Chewable Tablets, Pepcid Oral Suspension
Drug class:
H2 antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Protonix 6.5 51 reviews for Protonix to treat GERD
Rx B N
Generic name:
pantoprazole systemic
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Prilosec 6.8 38 reviews for Prilosec to treat GERD
Rx C N
Generic name:
omeprazole systemic
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Dexilant 6.2 165 reviews for Dexilant to treat GERD
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 for Aciphex to treat GERD
Rx B N
Generic name:
rabeprazole systemic
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Prilosec OTC 8.6 15 reviews for Prilosec OTC to treat GERD
OTC C N
Generic name:
omeprazole systemic
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
esomeprazole 5.6 190 reviews for esomeprazole to treat GERD
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
lansoprazole 6.6 100 reviews for lansoprazole to treat GERD
Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
lansoprazole systemic
Brand names:
Prevacid, Prevacid OTC, Prevacid SoluTab
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Prevacid 7.9 46 reviews for Prevacid to treat GERD
Rx B N
Generic name:
lansoprazole systemic
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Pepcid 6.8 4 reviews for Pepcid to treat GERD
Rx B N
Generic name:
famotidine systemic
Drug class:
H2 antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
rabeprazole 7.9 55 reviews for rabeprazole to treat GERD
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 6.3 93 reviews for sucralfate to treat GERD
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
Nexium 24HR 9.8 5 reviews for Nexium 24HR to treat GERD
OTC C N
Generic name:
esomeprazole systemic
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Pepcid AC Rate Add review
OTC B N
Generic name:
famotidine systemic
Drug class:
H2 antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Carafate 6.3 26 reviews for Carafate to treat GERD
Rx B N
Generic name:
sucralfate systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous GI agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Protonix IV 9.0 1 review for Protonix IV to treat GERD
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
dexlansoprazole 6.4 199 reviews for dexlansoprazole to treat GERD
Rx B N
Generic name:
dexlansoprazole systemic
Brand name:
Dexilant
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Heartburn Relief Rate Add review
OTC B N
Generic name:
famotidine systemic
Drug class:
H2 antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Heartburn Relief 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

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

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.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
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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