Heartburn drugs: how are drugs divided and what effect they have

Heartburn is one of the most common disorders in the gastrointestinal tract. Such a violation can be provoked artificially or due to real-life diseases of the stomach and other organ systems. The main way to combat the burning sensation is the timely treatment of exacerbations of gastrointestinal problems and proper nutrition. But with severe heartburn, therapy may also consist in the use of drugs aimed at suppressing the unpleasant symptom.

General description of heartburn

Heartburn is understood as a condition in which the patient suffers from a strong burning sensation and heat in the retrosternal region. A similar sensation spreads from the epigastric region down to the stomach region. Usually, such discomfort appears 30-60 minutes after eating, spicy and salty food is especially dangerous in this state.

You can overcome an unpleasant symptom with a healthy diet and taking antacids or other medications that can neutralize the negative effects of hydrochloric acid. But with constantly recurring attacks, it is required to identify the exact cause of the problem, since in addition to acidity-reducing drugs, other drugs may be required.

Attention! An immediate appeal to a gastroenterologist is required for those patients who complain of bouts of heartburn more than three times a week.

Non-pathological causes of heartburn

Among the main non-pathological factors, experts identify such as, for example, the consumption of large amounts of food. In this case, the quality of food affects the intensity of the symptom. The more fat, salt, sugar in the food, the higher the likelihood of developing heartburn.

Also, the appearance of the problem can be directly influenced by the weight of the patient. With increased body weight, the work of all body systems, including the stomach, is disrupted. A large amount of fat squeezes the walls of the gastrointestinal tract, provoking the release of food into the esophagus.

The patient's condition can worsen the habit of resting after eating in a horizontal position, since food mixed with hydrochloric acid can be thrown out into the larynx and oral cavity.

Bad habits associated with frequent smoking, drinking alcohol and soda can also provoke a burning sensation in the chest. Among food products, mint, chocolate, including bitter, strong coffee and tea are often provoking factors.

Attention! Sometimes medication can cause discomfort in the epigastric region and chest. Most often, heartburn is provoked by medications aimed at lowering blood pressure, and antispasmodics.

Causes of heartburn after eating

A burning sensation in the chest can also be associated with the development of a number of diseases. They provoke discomfort with prolonged fasting or within the first hour after a snack. These reasons include the following:

• ulcerative lesion of the stomach and duodenum;
• the formation of a hernia of the food opening, due to which a small part of the gastric wall, and in severe cases of the intestine, goes into the diaphragmatic cavity;
• chronic gastritis, in which there is increased acidity;
• inflammatory process in the duodenum (duodenitis);
• weakness of the lower sphincter, due to which part of the absorbed food from the stomach goes into the esophagus;
• complications after removal of the gallbladder or part of the stomach and intestines due to complications of peptic ulcer;
• angina pectoris, it is not associated with digestive processes, but is a violation of the heart. But the symptoms of angina pectoris are often accompanied by a severe burning sensation in the chest area, which can be mistaken for classic heartburn.

Attention! Pathological causes of heartburn must be eliminated. An unpleasant symptom in this case is their consequence, and not an independent disease, and only a complex of drugs can help.

Additional symptoms of heartburn

With such a violation, the patient may also be faced with concomitant symptoms that indicate the need for compulsory treatment. There may be several such symptoms. Most often, heartburn is accompanied by belching. Due to the involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, a small amount of air enters the mouth from the gastrointestinal tract. Belching can have an unpleasant odor and aftertaste, especially if you have gastritis, ulcers, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Often this symptom is accompanied by the release of undigested food. Such food burns the esophagus, larynx and throat, causing hoarseness. Patients often complain of nausea, which leads to increased salivation. Large amounts of saliva, in turn, can cause vomiting.

Attention! With severe heartburn, the patient complains of burning pain, which is localized not only in the center of the chest or the epigastric region. It can go to the left side of the chest, neck and shoulder blades. This pain is often mistaken for heart problems and even a heart attack.

Effective heartburn medications

There are several groups of drugs that can relieve heartburn. The safest of these is the antacid class. Such medicines are made on the basis of magnesium and aluminum. They slowly lower acid levels and bring the mucous tissues of the gastrointestinal tract back to normal.

"Almagel"

A good enveloping agent that allows you to relieve irritation from the mucous tissue, to reduce the acidity of the stomach. You can take "Almagel" not only for heartburn due to malnutrition, but also if it is provoked by ulcers, gastritis and other inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract. Take "Almagel" requires 5-10 ml of suspension half an hour before meals. No more than 16 teaspoons of the drug should be taken per day. Usually the remedy is taken 2-3 times a day. Treatment lasts no more than two weeks.

"Rutacid"

Affordable tablets that normalize stomach acidity within half an hour. The agent is dispensed in the form of chewable tablets, the active ingredient is hydrotalcite. Taking into account the severity of heartburn, you should drink one or two tablets half an hour before a snack or 45-60 minutes after it. Early intake of Rutacid is more effective. You can take 8 tablets in 24 hours. If necessary, therapy is extended up to one month.

"Vikair"

According to patients, it is considered almost the best way to suppress heartburn of any nature. In addition to magnesium, Vikair also includes bismuth, buckthorn and calamus. Such a composition provides a long-term and quick result while eliminating unpleasant symptoms. The dosage of "Vikair" is 1-2 tablets three times a day for 4-8 weeks.

"Gaviscon"

The main active ingredients are sodium and calcium. They relieve irritation of the mucous membrane, improve digestion and normalize acidity. Taking into account the severity of heartburn, patients are advised to take 2-4 tablets of "Gaviscon" after meals. The daily dose is 12 tablets. When choosing a suspension "Gaviscon" it is also required to take it on a full stomach in the amount of 10-20 ml, the daily dosage is 80 ml. The treatment continues according to an individually selected course.

Bellalgin

Not only eliminates heartburn, but also has a good analgesic effect. The main active ingredients in Bellalgin are belladonna and benzocaine. It is recommended to take the drug one tablet three times a day. With severe heartburn and pain syndrome, a single dose can be increased to 3 tablets, but you cannot drink more than 10 doses of Bellalgin per day.

"Stop-Izygoks"

A new drug on the pharmaceutical market, available in the form of chewable tablets. The main active ingredients of Stop-Izzhox are calcium and magnesium. The medication should be taken 30 minutes before meals in the amount of 1-2 tablets. They are resorbed or chewed in the oral cavity for a prolonged effect. If necessary, you can take the medication within one month.

Attention! Medicines based on magnesium can provoke diarrhea, while aluminum, on the contrary, causes constipation. To extinguish this side effect, you should choose medicines that contain both elements.

Different heartburn medications can cause bowel problems

Antisecretory drugs for heartburn

This group of drugs is used in cases where the use of antacids and more gentle means did not give the desired result. Antisecretory medications suppress excessive production of hydrochloric acid, relieve pain and normalize the digestive process. They are prescribed only by the attending physician, as they have many contraindications. They are considered individually for each patient.

"Gastal"

A classic but effective representative of this group of drugs. It is not used for renal impairment of any degree. The dosage of "Gastala" is 1-2 tablets up to six times a day. Do not take more than 8 tablets per day. Treatment is continued according to individual indications, but not more than two weeks.

Omeprazole

It is more often prescribed for heartburn, provoked by an ulcer, gastritis and other gastrointestinal disorders. The dosage of "Omeprazole" is 1-2 capsules in the morning before breakfast. Treatment, taking into account the presence of concomitant problems and the burden of the anamnesis, continues for up to two months. "Omeprazole" has many analogs, which can be found in the table. But despite one active ingredient, it is possible to replace analogues with each other only with the permission of a doctor.

Table. Analogues of "Omeprazole"

Analog name	Daily dose
"Omez"	20-40 mg daily for up to 8 weeks.
"Losek MAPS"	20-40 mg daily for up to 8 weeks.
"Omitox"	1-2 capsules in the morning for 2-4 weeks.
Ortanol	10-20 mg in the morning for 2-4 weeks.
"Gastrozol"	20-40 mg daily for up to 8 weeks.
"Ultop"	20-40 mg daily for up to 8 weeks.

"Zulbeks"

The drug belongs to the combined antiulcer drugs. Relieves several symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases at once, including heartburn. The main active ingredient is rabeprazole. It is recommended to take the medication in the morning. If the agent is used only to suppress heartburn, it is enough to drink 20 mg, but if the patient's condition is more complex, 40 mg of rabeprazole is taken at a time. Treatment taking into account the history can last up to two months.

"Ranitidine"

It is never prescribed only in cases of heartburn. The drug is used with a complicated history, when it is required to stop heartburn due to ulcers and other erosive and inflammatory processes. It is required to take "Ranitidine" in a dosage of 150 mg twice a day or 300 mg at once. The full dose of the drug should only be taken before bedtime. The duration of the course and higher doses can only be determined by a doctor.

Attention! Most antisecretory drugs have a long lasting effect that lasts for 8-12 hours. But the result from their effects occurs within an hour and it is difficult to combine them with other drugs for the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract.

Heartburn medications during pregnancy

During this period, a small list of medicines is allowed for use. It is advisable that the appointment of the tablets took place under the supervision of a gynecologist and a gastroenterologist, who can soberly assess the intensity of the symptom and the safety of a particular medication.

Rennie

Created on the basis of calcium and magnesium, which can eliminate heartburn, belching, bloating. It is required to take "Rennie" 30 minutes before meals, the dosage is 1-2 tablets. They are absorbed in the oral cavity for a uniform release of the active substance. More than 11 doses are not taken per day, even with severe bouts of heartburn. The course of treatment is according to individual indications.

"Maalox"

Medicinal product based on magnesium and aluminum. Available in the form of a suspension and chewable tablets. If heartburn occurs, take "Maalox" in a dosage of 1-2 tablets 3-4 times. They need to be absorbed or chewed slowly so that the active substance is released gradually. The suspension is taken in an amount of 15-30 ml also 3-4 times a day. Treatment for prolonged heartburn can be continued for up to three months.

"Gastracid"

The tablets have an enveloping effect and reduce the acidity of gastric juice. When discomfort occurs, it is required to take 1-2 tablets of the drug "Gastracid", it is advisable to do this one hour after a meal. You can drink the medication three times a day. Taking into account the patient's history, treatment lasts no more than three weeks.

"Causticum"

Completely natural product, belongs to the class of homeopathy. It should be used on the recommendation of a doctor, since individual dosages are set for each patient. In addition to eliminating heartburn, "Causticum" also relieves heaviness in the epigastric region, improves digestion and protects against inflammatory processes. Treatment can last from a week to a month.

"Nux Vomica"

Also natural homeopathic collection. Eliminates heartburn, metal taste in the mouth and flatulence. Nux Vomica is taken 8 granules three times in 24 hours at regular intervals. For the best effect, it is recommended to drink the drug 30 minutes before a meal. The granules are required to dissolve under the tongue. The duration of therapy is 1-4 weeks.

Talcid

The drug has a noticeable astringent effect, additionally has a slight laxative effect. Prescribing "Talcid" is required in the amount of 500-1000 mg at a time. It is not recommended to prescribe more than 2 g of active substance per day during pregnancy. It is best to drink the last permitted dose before bedtime. You can take Talcid within one month.

"Smecta"

A mild drug, but with prolonged use may cause constipation. It is produced in the form of a powder for reconstitution in water. If symptoms of heartburn appear, dissolve the contents of one sachet in 100 ml of settled or filtered water. It is required to take the product immediately after dilution. The daily dose is 3 sachets. The course of treatment, taking into account the possible development of constipation, is no more than 3-7 days.

Attention! Heartburn during pregnancy most often begins at the end of the second trimester, when the growing fetus strongly compresses the stomach. In this case, medications for heartburn can only help for a while, and complete relief comes after the birth of a child.

Prevention of heartburn in patients

To reduce the manifestation of an unpleasant symptom and prevent its occurrence in healthy people, the following measures must be observed:

• refuse alcoholic beverages and tobacco products;
  

  With heartburn, alcohol must be completely abandoned.

• with a pathological smoking habit, try to reduce the number of smoked cigarettes as much as possible;
• bring body weight to a normal index;
• refuse to wear shaping underwear and belts;
• sleep on a pillow so that the head is 10 cm above the level of the body;
  

  For sleeping, it is better to take an extra pillow, if there is no one high

• eat at least five times a day in small portions: it is ideal to have three full meals and two snacks;
• limit or completely eliminate foods with high acidity, high content of fat, spices, salt and sugar;
  

  Spices, sugar and salt are best consumed in minimal quantities.

• take food for the last time no later than three hours before bedtime;
• refrain from overeating and even more so the absorption of food before going to bed;
• give up physical exercises associated with pressure on the abdominal press for two hours, even after a small snack;
• if possible, take a walk 30 minutes after eating.
  

  After eating, it's better to take a walk rather than lie down on the sofa.

Attention! Especially carefully it is required to adhere to preventive methods for patients suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In the stage of their exacerbation, immediate treatment is required using highly specialized drugs.

Before using medicines, it is important to pre-consult with a gastroenterologist in order to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the optimal treatment. Additionally, it is required to adhere to preventive measures to prevent heartburn and undergo medical examination to identify possible disorders in the gastrointestinal tract.

Video - Preparations for heartburn