What are the treatments for acid reflux and oesophagitis?
Antacids
These are alkali liquids or tablets that neutralise the acid. A dose usually gives quick relief. There are many brands which you can buy. You can also get some on prescription. You can use antacids 'as required' for mild or infrequent bouts of heartburn.
Acid-suppressing medicines
Two groups of medicines are used - proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine receptor blockers (H2 antagonists). They work in different ways but both reduce (suppress) the amount of acid that the stomach makes. PPIs include omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, and esomeprazole. H2 antagonists include cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, and ranitidine. You can buy some low dose brands at pharmacies. You can use these low dose brands 'as required', or take short courses when you get short bouts of heartburn.
If you get symptoms frequently then see a doctor. You may be advised to take a daily dose of an acid-suppressing medicine to prevent symptoms from occurring. The dose that a doctor prescribes is usually higher than the dose that you can buy. The treatment plan with acid-suppressing medicines can vary from person to person.
- You may be advised to take a full dose course for a month or so. This often settles symptoms down and allows any inflammation in the oesophagus to clear. After this, all that you may need is to go back to antacids 'as required'.
- Some people need a course of treatment every now and then when symptoms flare up.
- Some people need long-term daily acid suppressing treatment. Without medication, their symptoms return quickly. Long-term treatment is thought to be safe, and side-effects are uncommon. The aim is to take a full dose course for a month or so to settle symptoms. After this, it is common to 'step-down' the dose to the lowest dose that prevents symptoms. However, the maximum full dose taken each day is needed in some cases.
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