Heartburn medicines, such as aluminum hydroxide or omeprazole, help reduce heartburn symptoms, such as a burning sensation in the stomach that can reach the throat, poor digestion, a feeling of a full stomach or constant belching, as these medicines act by inhibiting the production of acid, or neutralizing acidity in the stomach.
These remedies should only be used after a gastroenterologist’s recommendation, as it is important to diagnose the cause of heartburn, especially if it is frequent, and adapt the treatment, as it may indicate more serious problems such as gastritis or the presence of stomach ulcers.
In addition to using heartburn medications, it is important to eat a diet that helps avoid symptoms, eating light foods and avoiding processed foods with a high fat content and sauces. See how to eat for heartburn.
Main remedies for heartburn and burning
The main remedies recommended by the gastroenterologist for the treatment of heartburn are:
1. Baking soda
Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid that quickly neutralizes stomach acid and temporarily relieves the discomfort of heartburn or a burning sensation in the stomach caused by poor digestion, gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux, for example.
This antacid must be used diluted in water, and the normally recommended dose is 1 teaspoon of powdered sodium bicarbonate, in a glass of filtered water, taken 30 minutes before a meal.
The use of sodium bicarbonate should not exceed 3 spoons of coffee per day, and can be used for a maximum of 2 weeks, as excessive use can cause rebound acidity, which is when the stomach increases acid production as it realizes that the acidity has decreased. and thus the pain and discomfort of heartburn may worsen. Understand what the rebound effect is.
Sodium bicarbonate should not be used by children under 2 years of age, pregnant women, or by people with alkalosis, vomiting or intestinal obstruction.
2. Sodium carbonate
Sodium carbonate is another antacid and is generally associated with sodium bicarbonate and citric acid, indicated to relieve heartburn or a burning sensation caused by poor digestion.
This remedy works by neutralizing the acidity of the stomach, allowing rapid relief from poor digestion. It is found under the trade name Sal de Frutas Eno and should not be used for more than 14 days in a row.
Sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and citric acid are contraindicated for children under 12 years of age, pregnant women or people who have high blood pressure, heart, liver or kidney problems.
3. Aluminum hydroxide
Aluminum hydroxide is an antacid that quickly neutralizes stomach acidity, causing the stomach to be less attacked by the acid itself, which allows temporary relief of the discomfort caused by heartburn.
Generally, aluminum hydroxide is associated with other substances, such as magnesium hydroxide and calcium carbonate or simethicone, found under the trade names Estomazil, Magnazia or Mylanta Plus, for example, and should not be used by children or pregnant women.
4. Magnesium hydroxide
Magnesium hydroxide is another antacid that helps reduce stomach acidity and relieve heartburn, a burning sensation and stomach pain caused by poor digestion.
This remedy can be found in the form of an oral suspension, with the trade names Phillips Milk of Magnesia, Eno Milk of Magnesia or Magmax Milk of Magnesia, for example. Learn how to use milk of magnesia correctly.
Milk of magnesia should not be used by children under 2 years of age, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by people with kidney disease or who are allergic to the components of the formula.
5. Omeprazole
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor indicated for the treatment of stomach ulcers, reflux esophagitis, gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux, for example, as it acts by inhibiting the production of acid in the stomach, relieving heartburn or the burning sensation in the stomach .
This medicine can be found in the form of capsules with the names Neprazol, Novoprazole or Gastrium, for example, or as a generic under the name “omeprazole”, and must be used with medical advice, as the doses and treatment time vary according to with the stomach problem being treated. Learn how to take omeprazole correctly.
Omeprazole should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by people with serious liver problems or who are allergic to the components present in the capsules.
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6. Pantoprazole
Pantoprazole is another proton pump inhibitor that may be prescribed by your doctor for the treatment of heartburn caused by gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux, reflux esophagitis, stomach ulcers or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
This medicine can be found in its generic form as “pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate” or under the trade names Pantozol, Pantocal, Gázia or Adipept, for example. See how to use pantoprazole.
Pantoprazole should not be used by children under 5 years of age, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people being treated for HIV.
In addition to pantoprazole and omeprazole, other proton pump inhibitors that the doctor may recommend are lansoprazole, or esomeprazole, for example.
7. Cimetidine
Cimetidine is a medicine that inhibits the production of histamine, helping to reduce heartburn and burning sensation caused by ulcers in the stomach or duodenum, peptic esophagitis or Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, as it works by inhibiting the production of acid in the stomach.
This medicine can be found in the form of tablets as generic “cimetidine”, and should only be used under medical advice. See how to take cimetidine.
Cimetidine should not be used by children under 1 year of age, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by people who have asthma attacks, heart disease, malignant gastric ulcers or who are being treated with the drug dofetilide.
In addition to cimetidine, other medications that inhibit histamine production that may be recommended by your doctor are nizatidine or famotidine, for example.
8. Vonoprazan fumarate
Vonoprazan fumarate is a competitive potassium acid blocker, which inhibits the production of acid in the stomach, indicated for the treatment of gastric ulcers, reflux esophagitis, helping to relieve heartburn and burning in the stomach.
The normally recommended doses of this medicine are 10 to 20 mg, once a day, taken before or after a meal, for the treatment time recommended by the doctor, which can vary from 4 to 80 weeks.
Vonoprazan fumarate is found in the form of tablets, under the trade name Inzelm, sold in pharmacies or drugstores upon presentation of a medical prescription.
This medicine should not be used by children under 18 years of age, pregnant or breastfeeding women or by people who are allergic to the components of the tablet.
Home remedy options for heartburn
Some home remedies for heartburn, such as ginger tea or fennel tea, can be used to alleviate heartburn symptoms, as they help to reduce acidity and protect the stomach lining, and can be taken cold as they appear. the first symptoms of a burning throat or poor digestion.
Home remedies for heartburn do not replace the use of medications recommended by your doctor, but they can be used to complement the treatment recommended by your doctor. See other home remedy options for heartburn and how to prepare them.
Another tip to relieve heartburn is to suck on a pure lemon when heartburn appears because lemon, despite being acidic, contributes to reducing stomach acidity. Furthermore, eating a slice of raw potato can also help neutralize stomach acid, combating discomfort.
Remedies for heartburn during pregnancy
Heartburn is very common during pregnancy, as digestion slows down, producing a feeling of a full stomach and a burning sensation. The best way to treat heartburn is to prevent it from occurring, removing fried foods and other very fatty and spicy foods from your diet, for example.
However, when heartburn nevertheless becomes frequent, it is advisable to consult your obstetrician to start the safe use of some medications, such as Mylanta Plus or Milk of Magnesia.
