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by: FrankRobson
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The doctor may describe what type of medication for your acid reflux after considering things like age, pre-existing diseases, side effects and what stage of life you're at.

Different medications do different things. Some will reduce the acid created, some will improve muscle performance in the stomach area and some will help to clear the stomach. Most medications are available over the counter but you should still check with the doctor before you take anything.

Antacids are most common. The majority uses these. . These medications contain magnesium, calcium or aluminum salts. These are supposed to have the best effect when present in the hydroxide or bicarbonate form. They are used to neutralize the stomach acid. However, these medications also have undesirable side effects like constipation. (due to aluminum) and diarrhea (due to magnesium). Since these are normally over-the-counter medications, those with pre-existing disease like diabetes, need to worry about and take great care while using magnesium salts. Repeated episodes of diarrhea along with intake of diabetes medication, can lead to life threatening situations.

You can also buy a product called Gaviscon which is a foaming agent. It produces a type of foam that coats the acid reflux and stops it from coming back through the Esopheal Sphincter.

Other medications like Pepcid and Zantac are referred to as H2 blockers. They will lessen the acid production. Cimetidine, Pepcid, nizatidine and Zantac are in this group which can work on as many as 50 percent of suffers. It is always advisable to talk with your doctor to set a doseage for these medications.

Proton Pump Inhibitors are generally longer lasting for reducing acid production. They are the strongest medications that you can get and they are by prescription only. Prilosec, Zegerid, Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphes and Nexium are all in this category. They are more effective that H2 blockers.

Prokinetics will help to strengthen the Lower Sphincter and clear the stomach quicker. They are unpopular as they have many side effects such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleeplessness and co-ordination etc.

Ideally, the doctor will normally recommend a combination of the various drugs based on your own specific Acid Reflux situation.

About the Author

Are you struggling to find an effective acid reflux cure? Check out the Reflux Renegade website where you'll get plenty of helpful information to put you on the road to recovery. Visit http://www.refluxrenegade.com for more tips and advice.

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