How To Treat Acid Reflux

Have you been suffering from acid reflux? Maybe it’s the middle of the night, you’re currently suffering and you’re wondering how long acid reflux will last, or how to cure acid reflux?

Acid reflux affects countless adults, leading to discomfort and impacting daily life. Depending on which type of Acid Reflux you have, you may find that lifestyle changes like changing your diet, in combination with over-the-counter medication, will cure your acid reflux. 

At Click2Pharmacy, we provide accessible, effective treatment solutions, offering both prescription and non-prescription options easily online. Discover how to treat acid reflux with our help.

Different Types of Acid Reflux

Acid reflux, commonly known as heartburn, can manifest in different forms, each with unique triggers and symptoms. Understanding these can help to work out how to reduce acid reflux and tailor treatment strategies effectively.

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)

In LPR, acid reaches the throat, leading to mild to moderate symptoms that often include acid reflux, such as a persistent cough, hoarseness, and the feeling of a lump in the throat. It’s commonly triggered by the same factors as GERD, but symptoms are felt higher up the throat. 

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD is a chronic form where acid frequently flows back into the oesophagus, causing inflammation. Symptoms are typically moderate and include persistent acid reflux, regurgitation, and sometimes difficulty swallowing. Triggers include fatty foods, caffeine, and large meals.

Reflux Chest Pain

This type of acid reflux manifests primarily as pain in the chest, which can mimic heart conditions. It is triggered by similar factors as GERD and is often confused with heart disease due to the location and nature of the pain. The symptoms for this are moderate to severe.

Nocturnal Reflux

This occurs during sleep, and this acid reflux type can severely disrupt sleep quality. Symptoms include severe heartburn and choking. The symptoms of this condition are severe as it severely impacts the quality of life and can lead to serious oesophagal damage if not managed properly. 

Wondering how to sleep with acid reflux? Elevating your head while sleeping (i.e. raising the head of your bed or adding extra pillows) and avoiding meals close to bedtime are effective prevention strategies.

How to Cure Acid Reflux

You might be wondering where to start or ‘what can I take for acid reflux?’, particularly if you have already tried over-the-counter options.

At Click2Pharmacy, we stock a variety of medications and treatment options available to help reduce acid reflux. 

How To Treat Acid Reflux Using Over-The-Counter Acid Reflux Treatments

For immediate relief, Gaviscon Advance or Gaviscon Double Action Tablets create a protective barrier that prevents acid from rising up the oesophagus. It’s perfect for occasional use and available without a prescription. This may help reduce symptoms caused by food and drink and avoid further intervention.

Over-The-Counter Acid Reflux Treatments: At A Glance

Medication name	Gaviscon Advance	Gaviscon Double Action Tablets	Nexium Control Tablets
Conditions suitable for	Heartburn Acid indigestion	Heartburn Acid indigestion	Heartburn Acid indigestion
Key benefits	Available in Aniseed or Peppermint flavour. Long-lasting relief (up to 4 hours).Has the lowest sodium content in the Gaviscon range. Can be suitable for pregnant women.	Available as a pack of 12 or a pack of 24.	Works for 24 hours so can provide relief all day and night.Contains esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, so it reduces the build-up of excess stomach acid.
Dosages available			20mg
Prescription required?	No	No	No
When or how it should be used	Take after meals and before bedtime, up to 4 times per day.	For oral use, after being thoroughly chewed. Take two to four tablets after meals and at bedtime, up to four times a day.	Take once a day for up to 14 days. Swallow whole with half a glass of water.

How To Treat Acid Reflux Using Prescription Acid Reflux Treatments

If you’ve already tried over-the-counter options with little or no success, you might now be wondering what your options are and when to go to see a doctor with acid reflux. At Click2Pharmacy, we can prescribe a range of medications that can help ease acid reflux.

Prescription Acid Reflux Treatments: At A Glance

Medication name	Esomeprazole	Lansoprazole	Losec (Omeprazole)	Omeprazole	Nexium	Pantoprazole	Zonton Fastabs
Conditions suitable for	Heartburn Acid reflux Stomach ulcers GERD	Heartburn Acid reflux Stomach ulcers	Heartburn Acid reflux Stomach ulcers	Heartburn Acid reflux Stomach ulcers	Heartburn Acid reflux GERD	Heartburn Acid reflux Indigestion	Heartburn Acid reflux
Key benefits	A Proton Pump Inhibitor medication.	Easy to take capsule	Gastro-resistant capsule.  A Proton Pump Inhibitor medication.		Gastro-resistant capsule.	Gastro-resistant tablets.	Orodispersible –  ideal if you struggle to swallow tablets
Dosages available	20mg	15 and 30mg	20mg	10mg and 20mg	40mg	20mg and 40mg	15mg or 30mg
Prescription required?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Available over the counter in a 20mg dose and by prescription for higher doses.	Yes
When or how it should be used	Once a day, with or without food. Swallow whole with water.	Once or twice a day.	To be taken once a day, in the morning with or without food. Do not chew or crush.	To be taken once a day with or without food. Swallow whole with water.		Once a day, usually in the morning.

Esomeprazole 

Esomeprazole is used for treating heartburn, acid reflux, and stomach ulcers. It reduces stomach acid and is ideal for those experiencing frequent acid reflux symptoms. It’s available in a 20mg dosage, suitable for daily use. It can be taken once a day, with or without food, and should be swallowed whole with water. It can take 2-3 days before you start feeling better, but it may take as long as 4 weeks to work fully.

Esomeprazole is a medicine known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It targets enzymes in your stomach lining that produce acid for digesting food. Esomeprazole stops these enzymes from functioning correctly, lowering the acid levels in your stomach. You can find out more about how esomeprazole works on the NHS website.

Lansoprazole 

Lansoprazole effectively decreases stomach acid production and treats acid reflux, heartburn, and ulcers. It can be taken once or twice daily and is an easy-to-take capsule. We offer it in two strengths to suit different treatment needs. You should start feeling better within 2-3 days, but lansoprazole may take up to 4 weeks to fully control your acid symptoms. Depending on your condition, you may only need to take lansoprazole for a short period of time, but some people may need to take it for many years.  

Once you feel better, you may be able to take lansoprazole only when you have symptoms. However, this approach is not suitable or effective for everyone, and you may need to discuss this with your healthcare provider.  

Find out more about how lansoprazole works on the NHS website.

Losec (Omeprazole)

Losec Capsules (Omeprazole) is a Proton Pump Inhibitor medication that reduces stomach acid and treats acid reflux, heartburn and stomach ulcers. It should be taken once a day, ideally in the morning, with water. The capsules are designed to be gastro-resistant, so they should not be crushed or split.

Omeprazole 

Omeprazole is used for treating GERD symptoms, including heartburn and regurgitation. It can also be effective in treating stomach ulcers. It comes in 10mg and 20mg capsules, providing flexibility in managing condition severity. Omeprazole should be taken once per day by being swallowed whole with water. It can be taken with or without food. Omeprazole usually starts to work within 2-3 days, but it may take up to 4 weeks to work fully, and during this time, you may still experience symptoms.

Omeprazole is a medicine known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It acts on enzymes in your stomach lining that produce acid to help digest food. Omeprazole stops these enzymes from working effectively, which decreases the amount of acid your stomach produces. To find out more about omeprazole, including taking omeprazole with other medicines and herbal supplements, visit the NHS website.

Nexium

Nexium provides treatment for heartburn, acid reflux and GERD symptoms. It is based on the active ingredient Esomeprazole. Each tablet is gastro-resistant, which means it has extra layers of coating so it gets to work where it is needed – in the stomach.

Pantoprazole 

For long-term management of acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion, Pantoprazole helps maintain a reduced level of stomach acid. It is available over the counter in a 20mg dose and by prescription at 40mg. You’ll usually take pantoprazole once in the morning, and you should start to notice an improvement in symptoms within 3 days. It may take up to 4 weeks for symptoms to stop completely.

Zoton Fastabs

Zoton Fastabs contains the active ingredient lansoprazole, which is a proton pump inhibitor. It reduces the amount of acid produced in the stomach, which reduces symptoms of acid reflux.  

Zoton Fastabs melt on the tongue, so they are ideal for anyone who struggles with swallowing tablets. You should place the tablet on your tongue and suck gently. It will rapidly dissolve, releasing microgranules in your mouth, which you should swallow without chewing. Alternatively, you can swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.

Ease heartburn with Click2Pharmacy

Don’t let acid reflux disrupt your life. Visit our Acid Reflux Clinic to complete a quick online consultation and choose your preferred treatment to find relief for your symptoms. Our licensed and UK-based clinicians will ensure you start the best treatment for your needs. They are available to provide expert advice and quick delivery throughout the UK.

Treating Acid Reflux FAQs

Is Acid Reflux the same thing as heartburn, indigestion, or GERD?

Acid Reflux, heartburn, indigestion, and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) are related but distinct conditions. Heartburn is a symptom you might feel as a burning sensation in your chest, often caused by acid reflux—the movement of stomach acid back into your oesophagus. Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a broader term that describes discomfort in your upper abdomen, including symptoms like bloating and nausea, not just acid reflux.

GERD is a chronic condition where acid reflux happens frequently, leading to inflammation in the oesophagus. If you have occasional acid reflux, you might just experience heartburn. However, if it occurs often, you may be diagnosed with GERD.

Is Acid Reflux related to constipation, haemorrhoids, or sinus problems?

Acid reflux (AR) is not directly related to constipation, haemorrhoids, or sinus problems. These conditions arise from different causes. Acid reflux involves stomach acid backing up into the oesophagus, which can cause heartburn and other symptoms in the chest and throat.

Constipation is a digestive issue where you may have infrequent bowel movements or difficulty passing stool, which is unrelated to the processes of acid reflux. Haemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in the lower rectum and anus, are often caused by straining during bowel movements but are not caused by acid reflux.

Sinus problems typically involve inflammation or infection of the sinus cavities in the head and are unrelated to the digestive system, where acid reflux occurs.

While these conditions are separate, managing overall health can help control symptoms. If you are experiencing any of these issues, our online acid reflux treatment clinic can provide a suitable treatment for your needs. 

What Acid Reflux medicine is safe to take daily?

For managing acid reflux daily, medicines known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly recommended. From Click2Pharmacy, options include Esomeprazole, Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, and Pantoprazole. These medications reduce the amount of acid your stomach makes, relieving the symptoms of acid reflux when taken regularly as directed. 

What Acid Reflux medicine is safe to take whilst pregnant or breastfeeding?

During pregnancy and while breastfeeding, Gaviscon is a recommended choice for managing acid reflux. It is considered safe as it forms a protective barrier to prevent stomach acid from causing discomfort in the oesophagus. Can these Acid Reflux medicines be used by babies or children?

Acid reflux medications prescribed by Click2Pharmacy, such as Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, Esomeprazole, and Pantoprazole, are not suitable for babies or young children unless specifically directed by a doctor.

It’s important for any parent considering reflux medication for their child to consult with a GP or pharmacist first. This ensures the safety and appropriateness of the medication for younger children, as their dosage needs and potential side effects could differ significantly from adults.

What Acid Reflux medicine works the fastest?

Antacids like Gaviscon are recommended for quick relief from acid reflux symptoms as they start working immediately by neutralising stomach acid and forming a protective barrier to prevent acid from rising. This over-the-counter treatment from our acid reflux clinic is suitable for occasional reflux episodes. 

How long does Acid Reflux last? 

Acid reflux symptoms can last for a few minutes to several hours, depending on the individual and the specific triggers involved. Typically, these symptoms arise shortly after eating and might last until the stomach empties. If you find that your symptoms persist or worsen, it’s wise to consult a GP or pharmacist for tailored advice and potential treatments.

When to go to the doctor for acid reflux?

We’d recommend trying our online consultation. If you experience symptoms more than twice a week or if over-the-counter medications do not relieve your symptoms, our online clinic can provide prescription acid reflux treatments to help ease your symptoms. You should follow NHS guidance about consulting a doctor or other healthcare services if you have difficulty swallowing, persistent nausea or vomiting, or weight loss associated with acid reflux. These could be signs of a more serious condition that requires medical attention.