Question about Medications for Acid Reflux

gcsjr

The instructions provided on OTC Prevacid and Prilosec are primarily intended for treating mild, occasional acid reflux without the advice of a physician.

Taking either for two weeks is unlikely to help someone who has ongoing issues with AR. It can take 8-12 weeks of treatment for damage caused by persistent, chronic acid reflux to heal, and many people stay on the medication long-term to keep it from flaring up.

Both Prevacid and Prilosec are safe and can be taken over a long period of time (many people take them ever day for years), but it would be best to check with your doctor to make sure that you don't have any underlying health conditions or take any other medication that may be affected by the reflux medications.

You should also keep in mind that Prilosec and Prevacid don't cure acid reflux. The best way to manage reflux over time is with lifestyle changes (avoiding the foods that trigger reflux, raising the head of your bed 6 inches, eating smaller meals, don't eat 2-3 hours before bedtime) and medication.

I would start taking either the Prilosec or Prevacid but check with your doctor to be sure it's safe to keep taking them every day on an ongoing basis (and give them time to work).

abbydabbydew

You don't give any details about your AR. Is it occasional or constant? If it's occasional, have you tried an H2 blocker first? If it's constant, you'll need to try a PPI such as one of those that you mentioned. Just remember that these are NOT designed for instant relief and can take weeks to work. You might start with the cheapest first (which is probably the Prilosec, which you can get in generic form even cheaper) and stick with it for those first two weeks before deciding it isn't working.

sazylewis

ranitidine 150 mgs take 1 twice a day.
i have taken every medication there is to take,over the years,ranitidine is very good
try it.

Aguy44

You need to treat the causes of AR. Eat small meals, not fatty or spicy. Don't eat the last 5 hours before you go to bed. Eat food with grain and fiber to assure daily bowel movement -whenever possible. Avoid alcohol that relaxes the sphincter and allow stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus, and raise the pillow side of your bed
about 3 inches higher to keep stomach contents at the lower part, and don't constrict your stomach with tight belts or dresses. 5 weeks of Prilosec and Prevacid gave me a Fibromyalgia skin and upper body pain that made it hard for me to turn in bed, and one night I collapsed involuntarily while going to the bathroom -instant paralysis. I was able to get up, but I didn't take anything after that incident. And, you guessed, I am a strong proponents of lifetime changes that eliminates GERD, and not an easy solution seeker to declare a chemical war in my digestive system. The pill only makes GERD a lifetime problem because it does eliminate the lifestyle causes of GERD. I have learned my lesson the hard way, but I have been GERD free for 8 years now through lifetime changes. The pleasure of eating is not risk free, and people like me have to settle for less eating pleasure or GERD. For me the choice was easy.

mountain lady

Karleen,

Tried Prilosec, but had some side effects that I didn't like. Decided to go the holistic route, and for now, has worked for me. I take 2 tsps. of Bragg's apple-cider vinegar before eating and take 2 "Super Enzyems" from TwinLabs after eating. I am eating "geen-smart" and obviously not laying down after eating. More I can tell you, if you are interested?

Brandy

gin123

Things get better, I take medication prilosec 20 mg have taken it for a year helps me
75% with no side effects Dr. says can take rest of life should be no side effects. I also believe in lifetime changes practice same as straightguy has told you. One thing that really works for me is chewing fredent gum after a meal also does not stick to your teeth. Also take a tsp. of viniger in glass of warm water in morning don't know if works or not but doesn't hurt you.
Actually never felt better & Im an ole gal. All that good food also don't forget to exercise almost everyone can take a walk. If over weight loose some.