Heartburn

Treatments for GORD

Three types of medication are available in Australia to treat symptoms of heartburn and reflux. Speak to your doctor about the best medicine for your symptoms, particularly if you take any medicines for any other conditions.

GORD is a chronic illness, like asthma or high blood pressure, and like those diseases, ongoing treatment is usually necessary.

Antacids

If you only suffer from the occasional episode of heartburn, or your symptoms are mild, over-the-counter antacids available at your pharmacy or supermarket may bring relief. Antacids are available as tablets or liquids.

Antacids relieve heartburn by acting to neutralise stomach acid. They should be taken when symptoms occur. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor about any medicines you are taking regularly, in case they have an effect on other illness you have or prescription medications you may be taking.

If you still experience heartburn or other reflux symptoms even though you take antacids, talk to your doctor, and be sure to mention that you are not getting relief with antacids.

H₂-receptor antagonists

If you suffer occasional symptoms you may also benefit from an H₂-receptor antagonist. Some of these medicines are available without a prescription.These medicines partially inhibit the secretion of acid in the stomach by blocking the histamine receptors. Because less acid is being produced, you experience fewer symptoms during reflux. These drugs are less effective at acid suppression than the proton pump inhibitors (see below).  If you are not getting relief from an H₂-receptor antagonist even though you are taking it regularly, you should mention it to your doctor at your next visit.

Proton pump inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitors are a type of drug that reduce stomach acid by blocking the acid-secreting cells.  They produce more effective acid suppression than the H₂-receptor antagonists, relieving symptoms and allowing inflammation on the oesophagus to heal. A lower dose proton pump inhibitor can be purchased from a pharmacy for short-term use, but most are only available on prescription. See your doctor if you have troublesome heartburn.