11 best heartburn remedies for heartburn
Such a symptom as heartburn is clear to everyone and does not need an explanation. Perhaps there is not a single adult who has never experienced this unpleasant sensation in the epigastric region at least once in his life. The symptoms of heartburn, along with belching, epigastric pain (epigastric region, below the sternum), nausea and vomiting, doctors combine in the syndrome of gastric or upper dyspepsia. There is also a syndrome of intestinal dyspepsia - it is bloating, or flatulence, abdominal pain and impaired stool.
There are many drugs and folk remedies that help to stop heartburn. It is not necessary that they will treat the underlying disease, which caused a burning sensation. Many remedies act symptomatically, that is, they simply eliminate this sensation, and in no way affect the pathological process. Some of them are useful, protect the gastric mucosa, normalize motility, and are successfully used in the treatment of gastritis and gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. Some, despite the excellent quick help from heartburn, are harmful, for example, ordinary soda, which will be described later - it, as the cheapest and most popular tool is also included in the rating.
All antacid drugs that are used in modern medicine can be divided into four groups. The first group includes remedies that not only neutralize the feeling of heartburn, but also are absorbed into the systemic circulation, and can have an effect that is rarely taken into account by the patient. The second group includes drugs that are not absorbed, and are completely eliminated from the body through the intestines. These tools are safer and can be used for a long time. There is a large group of antisecretory agents whose task is to reduce the production of hydrochloric acid, and to affect the level of acidity in the stomach, not by binding excess acid, but by reducing its synthesis.
Finally, there is a fourth group of drugs called prokinetics. These drugs have no effect on the protection of the mucosa, or on the production of hydrochloric acid, their task is to change the motility, or muscle activity of the esophageal sphincters and the stomach.
Consider the most popular and effective drugs that are included in the ranking of modern antacid drugs. And we begin, perhaps, with the absorption of antacids.
Heartburn Rating
| Nomination | a place | Name of product | Rating |
| Best Absorbed Heartburn Antacids | 1 | Baking soda | 4.5 |
| 2 | Rennie | 4.4 | |
| 3 | Vikair | 4.3 | |
| Best Non-Absorbable Heartburn Antacids | 1 | Phosphalugel | 4.9 |
| 2 | Gaviscon | 4.8 | |
| 3 | Maalox (Gastracid) | 4.7 | |
| 4 | Almagel A | 4.6 | |
| 5 | Antarite | 4.5 | |
| The best antisecretory drugs for heartburn | 1 | Omeprazole (Gastrozole, Omez, Orthanol, Ultop, Helicid) | 4.9 |
| 2 | Pariet (Bereta, Noflux, Rabiet, Zulbeks) | 4.8 | |
| 3 | Famotidine (Kvamatel, Ulfamid) | 4.7 |
Best Absorbed Heartburn Antacids
All absorbable drugs quite quickly cope with the task, and therefore are very popular, their effect is noticeable in just a few seconds. But they all produce a fairly large amount of carbon dioxide, and it can give other unpleasant symptoms, such as belching, bloating, and a feeling of heaviness in the stomach. Components that are absorbed into the systemic circulation can cause various electrolyte disturbances, including a change in heart rate, and an increased risk of kidney stones. But these remedies are successfully used to relieve heartburn that rarely occurs in pregnant women, since the systemic effect of carbon dioxide is well known, but the effects of aluminum salts (in nonabsorbable antacids) on the organism of pregnant women and on the fetus have not been studied enough.
Baking soda
Rating: 4.5
To drink or not to drink soda? Can or can not? A rhetorical question: yes and no. Baking soda very quickly helps with heartburn, it is found in almost every home in the kitchen, and you don’t need to run to the pharmacy, these facts always overwhelm the fears of doctors who warn you to use such a good tool too often.
What is the problem? The fact is that baking soda forms a very large amount of carbon dioxide, and, trying to expand, it is able to push the muscle sphincters of the esophagus and stomach, and to allow leakage of gastric juice, neutralized by soda, into the duodenum and lower esophagus. Such a regular weakening of the sphincters will soon contribute to the development of their failure. In addition, the patient who takes the soda constantly, soon will be surprised to find that you need to take it more and more often, the dose of soda increases regularly, and the light period without heartburn becomes shorter. Heartburn is gradually becoming more stubborn and annoying. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that after neutralization of hydrochloric acid, the stomach begins to produce it in an enhanced amount.
Advantages and disadvantages
This combination of advantages and disadvantages allows us to make an important conclusion: baking soda can be used to relieve heartburn, but only in very rare cases, and for those people who do not have a diagnosis of acute or chronic gastritis, and ulcer disease - half a teaspoon per cup of warm water. In other words, soda can be a means of “ambulance” for an ordinary, healthy person, who currently has no opportunity to purchase an antacid. Indications for admission - discomfort and heartburn after a rich feast or spicy foods. In this case, soda, of course, will help, but after relief about this type of treatment should be forgotten, in any case, do not repeat the reception of soda. In no case should the soda be taken by a “gastric” patient who simply ran out of antacids prescribed by a doctor. You can easily achieve exacerbation of the disease.
Rennie
Rating: 4.4
If the soda is sodium bicarbonate, Rennie chewable tablets consist of a mixture of two salts: calcium and magnesium carbonates. This drug has been shown not only in healthy people with occasional heartburn, but also in patients who have been diagnosed with esophagitis, increased acidity of gastric juice, in the case of syndromic dyspepsia with pancreatitis, if the patient is taking other medications that cannot be canceled, but they cause heartburn.
Also, this tool is shown when a sharp change in the way of nutrition, for example, when traveling to the countries of Southeast Asia with a very spicy cuisine, patients who abuse alcohol. These tablets have a light cooling taste, and the salts they contain not only quickly neutralize the excess hydrochloric acid, but also last for a long time. As a result of the work of this remedy, soluble salts of calcium and magnesium arise in the stomach, which are absorbed into the blood, but do not significantly affect the systemic metabolism.
Rennie should be taken by chewing, or just holding the pills in the mouth and sucking. With the appearance of heartburn, you can immediately take two pills, and the repetition can be done not earlier than in 2 hours. The official instruction limits the maximum daily dosage of funds in 11 tablets. This drug is manufactured by the German pharmaceutical concern Bayer, and you can buy one pack of 12 tablets for 138 rubles. The manufacturer offers a choice of mint or orange flavor.
Advantages and disadvantages
The most important advantage of Rennie's drug is its safe use in pregnant women without dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract in the form of symptomatic therapy. Rennie is well tolerated, and overdose is possible only in patients with significant impaired renal function. Also, this medicine in very rare cases can cause allergic reactions.
Vikair
Rating: 4.3
Vikair is an old, cheap, tested drug. Its composition is complex: in addition to sodium bicarbonate, it is included in magnesium carbonate, bismuth compounds, calamus rhizome and buckthorn bark. The combined action of these natural and chemical components is anti-acid, astringent, antispasmodic and laxative.
It is shown Vikair for the treatment of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, with hyperacid gastritis, or gastritis with increased acidity of the stomach. Since in case of hyperacid gastritis, heartburn often occurs, this drug can be recommended for all forms of heartburn. Pills are taken one hour after meals, three times a day, you can immediately take two pills with a small amount of water. Vikira differs from Rennie in that he is recommended to take a course for one month, and one-time use is not welcome. Vikair is produced by the domestic Irbitsky Chemical Factory, and it is possible to purchase a minimum package of 10 tablets for 3 days of administration for 18 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantage of the drug can be considered its availability and cheapness. The disadvantages include a slow action, a mandatory restriction to receive in patients with concomitant inflammatory bowel disease, gall bladder. Vikair has a peculiarity to dye the fecal masses black, but this symptom disappears after the end of the drug intake. Also, some patients do not tolerate bismuth compounds poorly, and they may have heaviness in the stomach.
Best Non-Absorbable Heartburn Antacids
These heartburn remedies are the new generation of drugs. They do not penetrate the systemic circulation, after their application the stomach does not seek to produce an increased amount of gastric juice, they protect the mucous membrane well, and as a result of neutralization of hydrochloric acid, insoluble salts are obtained, which calmly pass through the entire gastrointestinal tract and are excreted with feces. Consider the most effective means that occupy the first places in the ranking of sales in the Russian Federation.
Phosphalugel
Rating: 4.9
The most famous heartburn medicine that is sold in bags is Phosphalugel. It is an aluminum phosphate. After opening the bag, you can see a white gel, a bit like sour cream. Manufacturers for more pleasant swallowing made it sweet, adding sorbitol, as well as the smell and taste of orange.
Aluminum phosphate envelops, adsorbs the acid on itself and neutralizes it. This tool can reduce the activity of the main gastric enzyme - pepsin. Phosphalugel does not convert the acidity of the gastric juice to the alkaline side, and leaves it at a physiological level. It forms a thin protective layer on the mucous membrane of the stomach, which after a single use lasts for several hours. In addition, Phosphalugel can neutralize toxins, various microbes and gases throughout the intestine, and normalizes the passage of food through it.
Phosphalugel, in addition to heartburn, gastritis, reflux and peptic ulcer disease, is shown in the complex therapy for various food poisoning, for alcohol intoxication, for diarrhea, the reaction of the gastrointestinal tract to medication. Phosphalugel is applied inside, can be in its pure form, but it can be diluted with water.
An adult and a child over 6 can be given one or two sachets three times a day. There are various dosage regimens that depend on the established diagnosis.
The manufacturer of Phosphalugel is a pharmaceutical company, Astellas Pharma, the Netherlands. Phosphalugel in the amount of 6 bags will cost 150 rubles. That can not be considered too cheap.
Advantages and disadvantages
A positive quality of Phosphalugel can be considered its possibility of use even in children under six months of age, the practical absence of side effects, the possibility of using it during pregnancy and lactation. A negative point is the possibility of complications in patients with severe kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, and chronic constipation.
Gaviscon
Rating: 4.8
Gaviscon drug is available not only in tablets, but also in the form of a suspension for oral administration. This is a combination medicine for heartburn, which consists of sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, and sodium alginate - a derivative of seaweed.
Gaviscon, unlike other drugs, after reaction with hydrochloric acid of gastric juice forms a gel that has an almost neutral reaction. This gel envelops the mucous membrane of the stomach, forming a protective barrier. As a result, the activity of the protective environment lasts up to 4 hours. After taking the drug relief from heartburn is felt after 3 to 5 minutes.
Of the indications should be specifically mentioned gastroesophageal reflux, or throwing gastric contents into the esophagus as a result of sphincter weakness. Even if the gastric juice gets back into the esophagus, the gel formed by Gaviscon is ahead of the gastric juice reflux and protects the mucous membrane of the distal esophagus.
Gaviscon chewable tablets should be taken by chewing them thoroughly, not exceeding 4 tablets at a time, and the number of doses per day should not exceed 4.
Produces Gaviscon English company Rekitt Benkizer Helsker. In domestic pharmacies, 12 pieces of chewable tablets can be purchased for 125 rubles, and 150 ml of suspension will cost 180 rubles. per bottle.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of Geviskona include a low price, release in 2 forms, and the suspension acts faster, the rare development of side effects, as well as the ability to use it during pregnancy and during breastfeeding. But at the same time, Gaviscon is contraindicated in children under 12 years of age, in patients with phenylketonuria, in persons who are on a salt-free diet with impaired renal function.
Maalox (Gastracid)
Rating: 4.7
Extremely popular in Russia, and throughout the world, a remedy for heartburn is the drug Maalox. It is a gel of inorganic compounds of aluminum and magnesium in the form of hydroxide, with the presence of auxiliary substances. In bags, it looks like a white suspension, resembling very liquid sour cream with a slight mint smell. Maalox, except for the suspension, is available in chewable tablets, and for diabetics it is produced in the form of sugar-free tablets.
Maalox calmly neutralizes the increased acidity of gastric juice, and it does not lead to a secondary increase, or hyperproduction of hydrochloric acid. It envelops the mucous, and has an absorbent effect. It works only locally, it is not absorbed from the stomach, and has no systemic effect.Maalox is shown for heartburn due to various causes, with peptic ulcer, with gastritis and gastroduodenitis, with hernia of the esophageal orifice of the diaphragm, with errors in diet, with the side effect of some drugs (especially NSAIDs and hormones). It is necessary to use Maalox in the form of a suspension, one tablespoon 3-4 times a day, including overnight. One bag contains 15 ml of medication, one tablespoon. The maximum allowable daily dose of 6 tablespoons, which is 6 bags.
Maalox is produced by Sanofi-Aventis, a well-known pharmaceutical company, in factories in France and Italy. A pack of 20 chewable tablets can be bought for 220 rubles, one bottle of suspension of 250 ml can be purchased for 300 rubles, and a pack of diabetic tablets for 20 pieces can be bought for 200 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
This tool is perfect as an ambulance for acute heartburn, and comes in a variety of forms, which makes it easier to take. One bag is equal to one tablespoon, which equalizes and simplifies the dosage when switching from one form to another. However, Maalox is contraindicated in children and adolescents, including fifteen years of age, in patients with fructose intolerance and severe renal failure. Also, the tool can cause constipation, especially in older patients, due to aluminum hydroxide.
Almagel A
Rating: 4.6
The above drug Maalox has many synonyms, for example, Almagel. This is the same Maalox, and it contains the same components. But if you add benzocaine to Maalox, which is a fairly effective local anesthetic, then a well-known medicine for heartburn and gastritis will appear - Almagel A (anesthetic). The mechanism of its action is the same as that of Maalox, it suppresses the secretion of pepsin, weakens the action of hydrochloric acid, and benzocaine helps very well if, apart from heartburn, the patient still has stomach pains. And it is precisely this remedy that can be recommended as the most effective when heartburn is combined with epigastric pain. He eliminates pain and burning sensation in minutes. Of course, benzocaine does not fall out in the form of insoluble salts, and is absorbed, but this amount is so minimal that there is no effect on the body.
Indications for use of this drug are more extensive: in addition to peptic ulcer, acute and chronic gastritis, it is indicated for enteritis and for colitis, for intestinal digestive disorders, for postoperative pain, when stomach surgery is performed. Almagel A well protects the mucous membrane and reduces pain when the patient has erosive-ulcerative processes associated with prolonged use of corticosteroid hormones.
Almagel is applied orally, in 1 to 2 spoons 3-4 times a day. Given that the patient often has an acute state of inflammation of the mucous membrane, Almagel A is recommended to be taken before meals, for 10-15 minutes. After the patient has drunk the required dose of medication, it is recommended to lie down a bit, and turn from side to side, so that the suspension is distributed as best as possible to the gastric mucosa. Surprisingly, this recommendation is found only in the Almagel A manual, although it would be quite natural to give this advice to all products that are available in suspension or as sachets. Almagel A is produced by Balkanfarma pharmaceutical company, and a 170 ml suspension bottle can be purchased for 190 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
The indisputable advantage of Almagel A is the presence of a local anesthetic that allows to significantly expand the indications for use. But at the same time, benzocaine may already begin to influence the receptors of the oral mucosa, a side effect is a change in taste and slight numbness of the mucous membrane. There are contraindications to use during pregnancy and during breastfeeding, in children, and in renal failure.In the case of long-term therapy, it is necessary to introduce products that are rich in phosphorus, especially in the elderly, to prevent osteoporosis. Also, many will not like it, that during treatment with Almagel A, it is necessary to completely abstain from alcohol.
Antarite
Rating: 4.5
Antharite chewable tablets contain 400 mg of magaldrate and 20 mg of simethicone. This is an antacid, an additional function of which is to reduce bloating, or to reduce flatulence. Magaldrat is the abbreviation of hydroxide - magnesium sulfate and aluminum. It has an acid binding effect, reduces the activity of gastric enzymes, envelops and absorbs. Simethicone destroys the small gas bubbles that form in the stomach and intestines. At the same time, the gas does not accumulate in the free state, but is absorbed by the intestinal cells, or is removed outside without accumulation. Simethicone is an inert substance that simply destroys the foam, and at the same time acts according to the laws of physics, without entering into any chemical reactions.
Shown Antarite, except heartburn, with pain and sour belching, abdominal distension and other functional states. It should take from 1 to 2 tablets 10 minutes after eating, chew thoroughly, or dissolve the tablet in the mouth. Antareit is produced by the Indian company Sequel Pharmaceutical, and one pack of 24 chewable tablets can be purchased for 240 rubles. Thus, one tablet will cost 10 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
Despite the good carminative effect, this remedy is contraindicated in children under 12 years of age, and during treatment it is necessary to ensure the supply of phosphorus from food. It contains sorbitol, which means that it is contraindicated in cases of congenital fructose intolerance. At high doses and with prolonged use, symptoms of metabolic alkalosis may occur. It is numbness in the muscles, nervousness, paresthesias. But on the other hand, this remedy can be used during breastfeeding, and if heartburn is combined with stomach swelling, then initially you should pay attention to Antarite.
The best antisecretory drugs for heartburn
In addition to the mechanical binding of hydrochloric acid or neutralization, there are many drugs that reduce its secretion. They are called antisecretory, and are divided into two large groups. The first group includes proton pump inhibitors, or proton pump, and the second group includes histamine receptor blockers (H2)
Proton pump inhibitors are effective and modern means that reduce the acidity of gastric juice. The mechanism of action of these drugs is through the blocking of a special enzyme - hydrogen-potassium ATPase. It produces hydrochloric acid by multiplying hydrogen ions and bonding them with chlorine ions.
As for H2 - histamine receptor blockers, these drugs block the receptors of the gastric mucosa, which are located on the covering or parietal cells. As a result, the production of hydrochloric acid decreases, and, consequently, the ulcer-forming effect. Consider the main drugs that are designed for self-relief of heartburn, and for the treatment of gastritis and gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. These drugs are constantly being improved, so there are several generations of such tools.
Omeprazole (Gastrozole, Omez, Orthanol, Ultop, Helicid)
Rating: 4.9
Omeprazole is one of the main anti-ulcer drugs that reduce the acidity of drugs, which are widely used in outpatient practice, is included in the list of essential medicines (GITL list), and is given to patients in gastroenterological departments in hospitals. This tool is used for ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, for heartburn, for erosive and ulcerative processes, for stressful ulcers, as well as for reflux esophagitis.The drug is used in the form of capsules of 20 mg, 2 capsules per day in severe cases, usually one capsule. Omeprazole is produced by a number of domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies, such as Sandoz, Stada, Akrikhin, Veropharm, Teva, Gedeon Richter. The cost of domestic omeprazole starts at 23 rubles. for 30 capsules of the drug, which makes it really affordable and popular for the general population.
Advantages and disadvantages
Despite the fact that Omeprazole is not a drug of the most recent generations, it has its merits. He rarely has overdose effects, such as agitation, headache, dry mouth. This drug can be used both with food and between meals, it does not affect the effectiveness of treatment. However, omeprazole is contraindicated in children, during pregnancy and lactation. One of the most important indications for the use of omeprazole is prophylactic treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. So, if a patient has a pronounced pain syndrome in the back, and he has been prescribed meloxicam, nimesulide, or ibuprofen, and he also has a stomach ulcer, then Omeprazole is prescribed with anti-inflammatory drugs for preventing ulcer induction.
Pariet (Bereta, Noflux, Rabiet, Zulbeks)
Rating: 4.8
Pariet is a proton pump inhibitor of the next generation, it contains rabeprazole. Available in tablets, 10 or 20 mg each, in enteric form. Rabeprazole also suppresses sodium-potassium ATPase, and, unlike the previous drug, does not have anticholinergic properties, and therefore does not cause side effects inherent in omeprazole, that is, its safety spectrum has been significantly improved. After taking 1 tablet, a significant decrease in heartburn is observed after 1 hour. In addition to the symptoms of reflux disease, heartburn and acid regurgitation, this medicine is indicated for the complex treatment of all forms of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, with pathological hypersecretion, with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, with Helicobacter pylori infection. According to the standard treatment regimen, the drug is applied once a day, depending on the indication, either at a dosage of 10 mg, or 20.
This drug is one of the most expensive remedies for heartburn. So, for 14 tablets with a dosage of 10 mg should be given from 1200 rubles. This is an original drug that is produced in the Japanese company Ezai - under the license of Janssen - pharmaceuticals. However, there are cheaper counterparts. So, Beret tablets, which are produced by the domestic company Veropharm, are sold at a price of 500 rubles. for 14 tablets containing 20 mg of rabeprazole.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of rabeprazole include the absence of side effects typical of omeprazole, the ability to use it in patients with impaired liver and kidney function without any dose adjustment, and the absence of overdose symptoms. This drug can be taken in the same dose as indicated in the instructions for the elderly, and children - from the age of 12 years. The only disadvantage of this remedy is its obvious high cost, it is not recommended to use it in the form of monotherapy just to relieve heartburn. Unlike Maalox, Almagel, Gaviskon and Rennie, a person will have to wait a full hour for heartburn.
But, nevertheless, of all the proton pump inhibitors, Pariet is the fastest one. You just need to remember that these drugs are indicated for the treatment of diseases that cause heartburn, they treat the causes of heartburn, and are not intended to instantly relieve an unpleasant symptom without looking at its origin.
Famotidine (Kvamatel, Ulfamid)
Rating: 4.7
Kvamatel, or Famotidine is available in two forms: in tablets and in vials for intravenous administration.It is important that famotidine not only makes hydrochloric acid less strong, less concentrated, and thus reduces the unpleasant symptoms of heartburn, but it also reduces the total amount of secretion of gastric juice. This is important for those patients who have surgery on the stomach, and you need to make it “dry”.
Kvamatel's administration is indicated for all those diseases and conditions that lead to the development of heartburn syndrome: in case of peptic ulcer, reflux, peptic ulcers, gastroduodenitis, and even gastrointestinal bleeding.
In case of reflux esophagitis, for example, the drug is used one tablet of 20 mg twice a day, but if necessary, you can increase the dosage by two. Hungarian company Gedeon Richter produces this drug, and you can buy 14 tablets with a dosage of 40 mg for 100 rubles. There are numerous varieties of famotidine, and the cheapest domestic famotidine can be purchased at a price of 14 rubles. for 20 tablets with a dosage of 20 mg. Produces its domestic company "Ozone".
Conclusion
We reviewed the rating of drugs that help relieve such an unpleasant symptom as heartburn. All preparations were placed on the speed of action, and, as it is not pitiable, ordinary and very insidious soda helps most quickly. Its side effects accumulate, and in the end, even violent followers of soda are forced to abandon it, because it leads to the progression of the disease that caused heartburn.
Of course, funds that are antisecretory can not be used as an “ambulance” for severe heartburn, they should be prescribed by a doctor, their task is to cure those diseases that led to this unpleasant symptom. In conclusion, you can still list such a group of drugs, but not to allocate them in a special section - these are prokinetics, or agents affecting the motility of smooth muscles. These include domperidone, or Motilium, and Zeercal, or metoclopramide. By themselves, they have no effect on heartburn, and taking them for heartburn is meaningless. But if heartburn is accompanied by nausea or vomiting, then these drugs can be used, but only as anti-nausea and antiemetic drugs.
As for folk recipes for heartburn, warm milk, warm mineral water without gas, or fresh potato juice can be used. All this can be used as symptomatic means only if the symptoms of heartburn have arisen "legally", after a significant use of alcohol and a feast with an abundance of fatty, smoked and spicy foods. Then this heartburn can be eliminated with the help of the funds listed in the rating, and not to resort to the help of a doctor to diagnose the disease. But in the event that heartburn becomes intrusive, if, despite the abandonment of bad habits and normalization of the diet, it will always come back, accompanied by new symptoms, then in this case you will need to consult a gastroenterologist, pass the necessary tests, do fibrogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS). This will avoid many troubles, detect an ulcer and prevent the risk of bleeding at an early stage of the disease, and in some cases, detect a malignant neoplasm in a timely manner.
Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.
