11 best remedies to fight heartburn

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

A symptom like heartburn is clear to everyone and does not need explanation. Perhaps there is not a single adult who, at least once in his life, would not experience this unpleasant sensation in the epigastric region. Symptoms of heartburn, along with belching, pain in the epigastrium (epigastric region, below the sternum), nausea and vomiting, doctors combine into gastric syndrome, or upper dyspepsia. There is also a syndrome of intestinal dyspepsia – this is bloating, or flatulence, abdominal pain and stool disorder.

There are many medicines and folk remedies that can help relieve heartburn. It is not at all necessary that they will treat the underlying disease that caused the burning sensation. Many remedies act symptomatically, that is, they simply eliminate this sensation, and do not in any way affect the pathological process. Some of them are useful, protect the gastric mucosa, normalize motility, and are successfully used in the complex therapy of gastritis and gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. Some, despite the excellent quick relief from heartburn, are harmful, for example, regular soda , which will be discussed later – it, as the cheapest and most popular remedy, is also included in the rating.

All antacids that are used in modern medicine can be divided into four groups. The first group includes agents that not only neutralize the feeling of heartburn, but are also absorbed into the systemic circulation, and can have an effect that is rarely considered by the patient. The second group includes drugs that are not absorbed and are completely excreted from the body through the intestines. These funds 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 do not affect either the protection of the mucous membrane or the production of hydrochloric acid, their task is to change the motility or muscle activity of the esophageal and stomach sphincters.

Consider the most popular and effective drugs that are included in the rating of modern antacids. And we will start, perhaps, with absorbable antacids.

Rating of the best remedies for heartburn

Nomination	a place	Name of product	Rating
The best absorbable antacids for heartburn	1	Baking soda	4.5
	2	Rennie	4.4
	3	Vikair	4.3
Best non-absorbable antacids for heartburn	1	Phosphalugel	4.9
	2	Gaviscon	4.8
	3	Maalox (Gastracid)	4.7
	4	Almagel A	4.6
	5	Antareit	4.5
The best antisecretory drugs for heartburn	1	Omeprazole (Gastrozole, Omez, Ortanol, Ultop, Helicide)	4.9
	2	Pariet (Beret, Noflux, Rabiet, Zulbeks)	4.8
	3	Famotidine (Kvamatel, Ulfamid)	4.7

The best absorbable antacids for heartburn

All absorbed drugs quickly cope with the task, and therefore are very popular, their effect is noticeable in just a few seconds. But they all produce quite a lot of carbon dioxide, and it can cause 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 a variety of electrolyte disturbances, including changes in heart rate, and an increased risk of kidney stones. But these funds are successfully used to relieve occasionally arising heartburn in pregnant women, since the systemic effect of carbon dioxide is well known, but the effects of aluminum salts (in non-absorbable antacids) on the body of pregnant women and on the fetus have not been sufficiently studied.

Baking soda

Rating: 4.5

To drink or not drink soda? Is it possible or not? The question is rhetorical: yes and no. Baking soda very quickly helps against heartburn, it is found in almost any home in the kitchen, and you do not need to run to the pharmacy, these facts will always overcome the fears of doctors who warn to use such a good remedy too often.

What is the problem? The fact is that baking soda produces a very large amount of carbon dioxide, and it, trying to expand, is able to expand the muscle sphincters of the esophagus and stomach, and allow gastric juice, neutralized by soda, to leak into the duodenum and lower esophagus. Such a regular weakening of the sphincters will soon contribute to the development of their failure. In addition, a patient who takes soda constantly will soon be surprised to find that it is necessary to take it more and more often, the dose of soda is regularly increased, and the light interval without heartburn becomes shorter. Heartburn gradually becomes more persistent and annoying. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that after the neutralization of hydrochloric acid, the stomach begins to produce it in an increased amount.

Advantages and disadvantages

This combination of advantages and disadvantages allows us to draw an important conclusion: baking soda can be used to relieve heartburn, but only in very rare cases, and in those people who do not have a diagnosis of acute or chronic gastritis, and peptic ulcer disease – half a teaspoon per glass of warm water. In other words, baking soda can be a first aid tool for an ordinary, healthy person who currently does not have the opportunity to purchase an antacid drug. Indications for admission are discomfort and heartburn after a heavy meal or spicy food. In this case, soda, of course, will help, but after relief, you should forget about this type of treatment, in no case repeat the intake of soda. In no case should soda be taken by 'stomachic' patients who simply run out of antacids prescribed by a doctor. You can easily achieve an exacerbation of the disease.

Rennie

Rating: 4.4

If the baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, then Rennie's chewable tablets are composed of a mixture of two salts: calcium and magnesium carbonates. This medicine is indicated not only in healthy people with occasional heartburn, but also in patients who have been diagnosed with esophagitis, increased acidity of gastric juice, in case of syndromic dyspepsia with pancreatitis, if the patient is taking other medications that cannot be canceled, but they cause heartburn.

Also, this remedy is indicated for a sharp change in the way of eating, for example, when traveling to the countries of Southeast Asia with a very spicy cuisine, for patients who abuse alcohol. These tablets have a light cooling taste, and the salts contained in them not only quickly neutralize excess hydrochloric acid, but also act for a long time. As a result of the work of this agent, soluble calcium and magnesium salts appear in the stomach, which are absorbed into the blood, but do not significantly affect systemic metabolism.

Rennie should be taken by chewing, or simply by holding the tablets in the mouth and sucking. When heartburn occurs, you can immediately take two pills, and the repeat can be done no earlier than 2 hours later. The official instructions limit the maximum daily dosage of the drug to 11 tablets. This drug is produced 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 an overdose is possible only in patients with significant renal impairment. Also, this medicine in very rare cases can cause allergic reactions.

Vikair

Rating: 4.3

Vikair is an old, cheap tried and tested drug. Its composition is complex: in addition to sodium bicarbonate, it includes magnesium carbonate, bismuth compounds, calamus rhizome and buckthorn bark. The combined effect of these natural and chemical components is anti-acid, astringent, antispasmodic and laxative.

Vikair is indicated for the treatment of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, with hyperacid gastritis, or with gastritis with increased acidity of the stomach. Since heartburn often occurs with hyperacid gastritis, this drug can be recommended for all forms of heartburn. The tablets are taken one hour after a meal, three times a day, you can take two tablets at once with a little water. The difference between Vikair and Rennie is that it is recommended to take it as a course, within one month, and a single use is not encouraged. Vikair is produced by the domestic Irbitsky Chemical Pharmaceutical Plant, and you can buy a minimum package of 10 tablets, designed 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 slow action, a mandatory restriction to admission in patients with concomitant inflammatory bowel disease, gallbladder. Vikair has the peculiarity of staining the feces in black, but this symptom disappears after the end of the drug intake. Also, some patients do not tolerate bismuth compounds well, and they may have a heaviness in the stomach.

Best non-absorbable antacids for heartburn

These heartburn remedies are a 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 the neutralization of hydrochloric acid, insoluble salts are obtained, which calmly pass through the entire gastrointestinal tract and are excreted in the feces. Consider the most effective tools that rank first in the sales ranking in the Russian Federation.

Phosphalugel

Rating: 4.9

The most famous drug for heartburn, which is sold in sachets, is Fosfalugel. It is aluminum phosphate. After opening the bag, you can see a white gel, a bit like sour cream. Manufacturers made it sweet for a more pleasant swallowing, adding sorbitol, as well as the smell and taste of orange.

Aluminum phosphate envelops, adsorbs the acid and neutralizes it. This agent is able to reduce the activity of the main gastric enzyme – pepsin. Phosphalugel does not convert the acidity of gastric juice to the alkaline side, and leaves it at the physiological level. It forms a thin protective layer on the gastric mucosa, which, after a single application, lasts for several hours. In addition, Phosphalugel is able to 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 also indicated in complex therapy for various food poisoning, alcohol intoxication, diarrhea, and the reaction of the gastrointestinal tract to medication. Fosfalugel is used inside, it can be in its pure form, or it can be diluted with water.

An adult and a child over 6 years old can be given one or two sachets three times a day. There are various dosage regimens that depend on the diagnosis.

Phosphalugel is manufactured by a pharmaceutical company, Astellas Pharma, The Netherlands. Phosphalugel in the amount of 6 sachets will cost 150 rubles, which cannot be considered too cheap.

Advantages and disadvantages

The positive quality of Fosfalugel can be considered its possibility of using 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 should be considered the possibility of complications in patients with severe kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, and chronic constipation.

Gaviscon

Rating: 4.8

The drug Gaviscon is available not only in tablets, but also in the form of a suspension for oral administration. It is a combination medicine for heartburn that consists of sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, and sodium alginate, a seaweed derivative.

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 stomach lining, 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 within 3 to 5 minutes.

Among the indications, special mention should be made of gastroesophageal reflux, or the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus as a result of sphincter weakness. Even if gastric juice gets back into the esophagus, the gel formed by Gaviscon outpaces the reflux of gastric juice and protects the mucous membrane of the distal esophagus.

You need to take Gaviscon chewable tablets by chewing them thoroughly, not exceeding 4 tablets at a time, and the number of doses per day should not exceed 4.

Gaviscon is produced by the British company Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare. In domestic pharmacies, chewable tablets in the amount of 12 pieces can be purchased for 125 rubles, and 150 ml of the suspension will cost 180 rubles. per bottle.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of Gaviscon include a low price, release in 2 forms, and the suspension acts faster, a rare development of side effects, and 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

Maalox is an extremely popular remedy for heartburn in Russia and all over the world. It is a gel of inorganic compounds of aluminum and magnesium in the form of a hydroxide, with the presence of excipients. In sachets, it looks like a white suspension, reminiscent of a very liquid sour cream with a slight mint smell. Maalox, in addition to suspension, is available in chewable tablets, and for diabetics it is available in the form of sugar-free tablets.

Maalox calmly neutralizes the increased acidity of gastric juice, and at the same time does not lead to a secondary increase or overproduction of hydrochloric acid. It envelops the mucous membrane and has an absorbent effect. It works only locally, it is not absorbed from the stomach, and has no systemic effect. Maalox is indicated for heartburn due to various reasons, with peptic ulcer disease, with gastritis and gastroduodenitis, with a hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm, with an error in the diet, with a side effect of certain drugs (especially often NSAIDs and hormones). It is necessary to use Maalox in the form of a suspension, one tablespoon 3-4 times a day, including at night. One sachet contains 15 ml of medicine, one tablespoon. The maximum allowable daily dose is 6 tablespoons, which is equal to 6 sachets.

Maalox is produced by the well-known pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis, at factories in France and Italy. A package of 20 chewable tablets can be bought for 220 rubles, one bottle of suspension with a volume of 250 ml can be purchased for 300 rubles, and a package of 20 tablets for diabetics can be bought for 200 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

It is an excellent first aid for acute heartburn and comes in a variety of forms to make it easier to take. One sachet is equal to one tablespoon, which equalizes and simplifies the dosage when changing 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 impairment. Also, the agent can cause constipation, especially in elderly 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 ingredients. 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). Its mechanism of action is the same as that of Maalox, it suppresses the secretion of pepsin, weakens the effect of hydrochloric acid, and benzocaine helps very well if, in addition to heartburn, the patient still has stomach pains. And it is this remedy that can be recommended as the most effective when heartburn is combined with pain in the epigastrium. It eliminates pain syndrome and burning sensation in a matter of 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.

The indications for the use of this drug are more extensive: in addition to peptic ulcer disease, acute and chronic gastritis, it is indicated for enteritis and colitis, for intestinal digestive disorders, for postoperative pain when an operation on the stomach was performed. Almagel A well protects the mucous membrane and reduces pain if the patient has erosive and ulcerative processes associated with prolonged use of corticosteroid hormones.

Almagel is used inside, 1 – 2 tablespoons 3-4 times a day. Considering that the patient often has an acute condition of mucosal inflammation, Almagel A is recommended to be taken before meals, 10-15 minutes. After the patient has drunk the required dose of the medicine, it is recommended to lie down for a while and turn from side to side, so that the suspension is distributed as best as possible over the gastric mucosa. It is surprising that this recommendation is found only in the instructions for Almagel A, although it would be quite natural to give this advice to all funds that are produced in the form of a suspension or in the form of sachets. Almagel A is produced by the pharmaceutical company Balkanfarma, and a bottle of suspension in 170 ml can be purchased for 190 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The indisputable advantage of Almagel A is the presence of a local anesthetic, which significantly expands the indications for use. But at the same time, benzocaine can already begin to affect the receptors of the oral mucosa, a side effect is a change in taste and slight numbness of the mucous membrane. There are contraindications for use during pregnancy and during breastfeeding, in children, and in renal failure. In the case of long-term therapy, it is necessary to introduce foods that are rich in phosphorus into the diet, especially in old age to prevent osteoporosis. Also, many will not like the fact that during treatment with Almagel A it is necessary to completely abstain from alcohol.

Antareit

Rating: 4.5

Antareita chewable tablets contain 400 mg of magaldrat and 20 mg of simethicone. It is an antacid drug whose additional function is to reduce bloating, or to reduce flatulence. Magaldrat is an abbreviation for hydroxide – magnesium and aluminum sulfate. It has an acid-binding effect, reduces gastric enzyme activity, envelops and absorbs. Simethicone breaks down small gas bubbles that form in the stomach and intestines. At the same time, the gas does not accumulate in a 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.

Antareit is shown, in addition to heartburn, with pain and sour belching, with bloating and other functional conditions. Take 1 to 2 tablets 10 minutes after eating, chew thoroughly, or dissolve the tablet in your mouth. Antareit is produced by the Indian company Sequel Pharmaceutical, and one pack of 24 chewable tablets can be purchased for 240 rubles, so 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 intake of phosphorus with food. It contains sorbitol, which means that it is contraindicated in congenital fructose intolerance. At high doses and with prolonged use, symptoms of metabolic alkalosis may appear. This is numbness in the muscles, nervousness, paresthesia. But on the other hand, this remedy can be used during breastfeeding, and if heartburn is combined with bloating, then initially you should pay attention to Antareit.

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 classified into two large groups. The first group includes proton pump inhibitors, or proton pump inhibitors, and the second group includes histamine receptor blockers (H2)

Proton pump inhibitors are effective and modern means that reduce gastric acidity. The mechanism of action of these drugs is through blocking a special enzyme – hydrogen-potassium ATPase. It produces hydrochloric acid by multiplying hydrogen ions and binding them with chlorine ions.

As for H2 – blockers of histamine receptors, these drugs block the receptors of the gastric mucosa, which are located on the parietal, or parietal cells. As a result, the production of hydrochloric acid decreases, and, consequently, the ulcer-forming effect. Consider the main drugs that are intended both for self-relieving 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 drugs.

Omeprazole (Gastrozole, Omez, Ortanol, Ultop, Helicide)

Rating: 4.9

Omeprazole is one of the main anti-ulcer drugs that reduce the acidity of drugs, which is widely used in outpatient practice, is included in the list of essential drugs (the list of essential drugs), and is given to patients in gastroenterology departments in hospitals. This remedy is used for ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, for heartburn, for erosive – ulcerative processes, for stress ulcers, as well as for reflux esophagitis. The drug is used in the form of 20 mg capsules, 2 capsules per day in severe cases, usually one capsule. Omeprazole is produced by a number of domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies, for example Sandoz, Stada, Akrihin, 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 latest generations, it has its own advantages. He rarely has overdose phenomena such as agitation, headache, dry mouth. This drug can be used both during meals and in the interval between meals; this 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 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. So, if a patient has severe back pain syndrome, and he is prescribed meloxicam, nimesulide, or ibuprofen, and at the same time he has a stomach ulcer, then together with anti-inflammatory drugs, he is prescribed Omeprazole to prevent ulcer induction.

Pariet (Beret, Noflux, Rabiet, Zulbeks)

Rating: 4.8

Pariet is the next generation proton pump inhibitor and contains rabeprazole. Available in tablets, 10 or 20 mg, in an enteric form. Rabeprazole also inhibits sodium-potassium ATPase, and, unlike the previous drug, does not have anticholinergic properties, and therefore does not cause the side effects characteristic of omeprazole, that is, its safety spectrum is significantly improved. After taking 1 tablet, a significant decrease in heartburn is noted after 1 hour. In addition to the symptoms of reflux disease, heartburn and sour eructation, 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 in the ranking of remedies for heartburn. So, for 14 tablets with a dosage of 10 mg, you should give from 1200 rubles. This is an original drug that is produced by the Japanese company Ezai – under license from Janssen – Pharmaceuticals. However, there are also cheaper analogs. 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 characteristic 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 medication can be taken in the same dose as indicated in the instructions for the elderly, and in children from the age of 12 years. The only drawback of this remedy is its obvious high cost; it is not recommended to use it as monotherapy simply to relieve heartburn. Unlike Maalox, Almagel, Gaviscon and Rennie, a person will have to wait an hour for heartburn to go away.

But, nevertheless, of all the proton pump inhibitors, Pariet is the fastest acting. You just need to remember that these remedies are indicated for the treatment of diseases that cause heartburn, they treat the causes of heartburn, and are not at all intended to instantly remove an unpleasant symptom without regard to its origin.

Famotidine (Kvamatel, Ulfamid)

Rating: 4.7

Kvamatel, or Famotidine, is available in two forms: both 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 at the same time it also reduces the total amount of gastric acid secretion. This is important for those patients who are to undergo gastric surgery and need to make it 'drier'.

The use of Kvamatel is shown for all those diseases and conditions that lead to the development of heartburn syndrome: with peptic ulcer, reflux, peptic ulcers, gastroduodenitis, and even gastrointestinal bleeding.

For reflux esophagitis, for example, the drug is used in one tablet of 20 mg twice a day, but if necessary, you can increase the dosage by two. This drug is produced by the Hungarian company Gedeon Richter, 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. It is produced by the domestic company Ozone.

Conclusion

We reviewed the rating of drugs that help relieve such an unpleasant symptom as heartburn. All drugs were ranked according to the speed of action, and, sadly, ordinary and very insidious soda helps the fastest. Its side effects accumulate, and, in the end, even violent adherents of soda are forced to give it up, as it leads to the progression of the disease that caused heartburn.

Of course, drugs that are antisecretory cannot be used as an “ambulance” for severe heartburn, they must 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 single them out in a special section – these are prokinetics, or drugs that affect smooth muscle motility. These include domperidone, or Motilium, and Cerucal, or metoclopramide. By themselves, they have no effect on heartburn, and it is pointless to take them for heartburn. But in the event that heartburn is accompanied by nausea or vomiting, then these drugs can be used, but only as anti-nausea and antiemetic agents.

As for folk recipes for heartburn, then warm milk, warm mineral water without gas, or fresh potato juice may well be used. All of this can be used as symptomatic remedies only if the symptoms of heartburn have arisen 'legally', after significant alcohol consumption 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 resort to the help of a doctor to diagnose the disease. But in the event that heartburn becomes obsessive, if, despite giving up bad habits and normalizing the diet, it keeps returning, accompanied by new symptoms, then in this case it will be necessary to contact a gastroenterologist, pass the necessary tests, and be sure make 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, timely detect a malignant neoplasm.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.