A Brief Overview of Heartburn Medicine

There are several varieties of heartburn medicine available. Some are available over-the-counter, others require a prescription by a doctor. The choices of heartburn medicine we have include antacids, H2-receptor antagonists, alginates, and proton pump inhibitors. Let's take a look at each.

First Line of Defense: Antacids

Antacids neutralize excess stomach acid. The acid may still rise up into the esophagus, causing acid reflux, but the acid will be neutralized and so there will be less or no symptoms of heartburn.
The benefit of using an antacid is that it provides very fast relief of the heartburn. It works best if it is taken at the first sign of symptoms, or one hour after meals. However, that relief may only last for 30 - 60 minutes, and while antacids may help with symptoms, they don't help heal the acid-induced damage. Also, continued in regular doses over time, there can be side effects.
The magnesium salts in some antacids can cause diarrhea, and the calcium-containing antacids can cause constipation. Long-time high-doses of calcium salts can lead to kidney disease. Note, too, that using mint-flavored antacids can lower the pressure of the esophageal sphincter, or valve, and make reflux more likely. Some experts recommend that you only take antacids for a week at a time, three or four times a year, unless otherwise advised by your doctor.
Using Sodium Bicarbonate as Heartburn Medicine
Another solution for heartburn is to drink a solution of a small amount of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) mixed with water. That will quickly neutralize the acid. Used to excess, however, sodium can raise blood pressure and cause other health problems.
Acid Decreasing H2-receptor Antagonists
Also called H2 Blockers, H2-receptor antagonists are able to decrease the amount of acid the body releases into the stomach. They are H2s systemic, which means they must be absorbed into the bloodstream to work, so they can take half an hour or longer to have an effect. They are often taken before heartburn occurs to prevent heartburn, rather than for relief of symptoms. The possible side effects of this type of heartburn medicine are: diarrhea, dizziness, rash, nausea, and headache. Low doses of these drugs are available over-the-counter, and are known as Tagamet, Pepcid, and Zantac.
The Difference of Alginates
Alginates work by providing a protective barrier in the stomach to prevent the stomach acid from coming back up the esophagus. It is made from brown seaweed and is non-systemic. It is faster than many forms of heartburn medicine, and provides longer-lasting relief than antacids.
What about Proton-pump Inhibitors?

Also known as PPIs, Proton pump inhibitors are a heartburn medicine that can be helpful for those who do not respond well to the antacids or acid blockers. These are a systemic heartburn medicine, and directly block acid production in the stomach, by disfiguring and disabling the proteins (proton pumps) that affect the pH of the stomach, which allows the body to digest them. This form of heartburn medicine is not fast-acting, but they do provide long-lasting relief. However, they are intended to only be taken for a short time.