Medication
High stomach acid levels or acid in the wrong place can cause digestive problems.
Medication can be an effective treatment for gastrointestinal symptoms that are relatively minor and short-lived. For example, indigestion and acid reflux can be treated with antacids and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be relieved with mebeverine or hyoscine.
We may recommend over-the-counter medication to alleviate heartburn and indigestion symptoms, such as antacids, proton pump inhibitors (PPI), and histamine 2 (H2) blockers.
Antacids
Antacids are a group of medications that help neutralise high stomach acid levels for a short period of time by reducing or preventing secretion. They don’t block stomach acid production. Antacids are used to treat symptoms of heartburn and indigestion. They are typically prescribed to people who have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD or GERD), stomach ulcers, or gastritis.
This medication acts quickly, but its effects may only last up to 2 hours, so it is unsuitable for those with long-term digestive conditions.
Antacids containing magnesium carbonate may release carbon dioxide gas in your gut (bowel), so can cause the side effect of belching.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPI)
These are a class of drugs that help reduce the amount of acid in the stomach by blocking acid production. Although PPIs are similar to antacids, they take effect more slowly. Patients usually start to notice benefits within a few hours of taking the medicine, but it can take up to 24 hours or more to reach full effect.
They also help treat conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD or GERD) or stomach ulcers. They can also help treat an H. pylori infection.
This medication is sometimes also used to treat a rare condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which is caused by a tumour in the pancreas.
The most common side-effects of proton pump inhibitors include:
Histamine 2 (H2) blockers
There are histamine receptors in your stomach that are responsible for triggering acid production. If you are experiencing bad indigestion or heartburn, H2 blockers are typically prescribed to lower the amount of acid your stomach produces by blocking these receptors.
They also treat the same conditions as PPI medication. However, if H2 blockers are taken for too long, they can lose effectiveness. Speak to a specialist, and they can help you decide which medication may be appropriate for your condition, especially if you experience a chronic digestive condition.
H2 blockers usually take up to an hour to take effect and can remain effective for 4 to 10 hours.
The most common side-effects of H2 blockers can include:
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Dizziness
- Headache
However, most people who take H2 blockers will not have any side effects. It’s important to seek medical advice if you are experiencing symptoms due to your medication.
If your gastrointestinal issues have lasted for a longer period of time, we would advise you to seek an appointment with us. This may be a sign of a significant digestive issue that needs to be addressed with specific medication.
For example, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are treated with medicines such as budesonide, prednisolone and mesalazine.
Book an appointment
Particular medicines taken together may interact and cause harmful side effects. We will assess what medications are right for you based on your condition and individual needs so that you have as few complications as possible.
We will also consider any allergies, sensitivities, food intolerances, and other medical conditions you have before prescribing a new medicine.
Get in touch today to book an appointment with our gastroenterologist.