Occasional heartburn and acid reflux are usually self-treatable with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medicines that either neutralize stomach acid or reduce how much acid the stomach makes. Frequent, persistent, or severe reflux (GERD) may need a doctor-prescribed acid-reducing course or further evaluation.
Available without a prescription — follow each label.
Tums Antacid | Neutralizes stomach acid for fast, short-lived relief of occasional heartburn. Best taken with or soon after meals and at bedtime when symptoms strike; does not prevent reflux or heal the esophagus. |
aluminum hydroxide / magnesium hydroxide Maalox, Mylanta Antacid | Liquid or chewable antacid that quickly neutralizes acid for occasional heartburn. Combining aluminum and magnesium balances their side effects (aluminum can constipate, magnesium can loosen stools). |
alginic acid / sodium alginate Gaviscon Alginate (often combined with an antacid) | Forms a protective gel 'raft' that floats on stomach contents to coat and shield the esophagus from acid. Useful for reflux symptoms after meals; works best taken after eating and at bedtime. |
Pepcid AC H2 (histamine-2) blocker | Reduces acid production; works slower than antacids (about 1-3 hours) but relief lasts longer, and it can be taken before a meal to prevent heartburn. A standard alternative since ranitidine (Zantac) was withdrawn at the FDA's request over NDMA contamination. |
A doctor may prescribe these — not for self-treatment.
omeprazole / lansoprazole (prescription strength) Prilosec, Prevacid Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) | A doctor may prescribe a PPI at a higher dose or for a longer 4-to-8-week course to treat acid reflux, esophagitis, or GERD that over-the-counter measures don't control. |
famotidine (prescription strength) Pepcid H2 (histamine-2) blocker | A doctor may prescribe a higher-dose H2 blocker, sometimes if a PPI alone isn't enough or to add nighttime acid control. |
vonoprazole Voquezna Potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB) | A doctor may prescribe a newer class of acid blocker for erosive GERD or heartburn that doesn't respond well to PPIs; these are prescription-only and not something to start on your own. |
Match the medicine to your pattern. For occasional, predictable heartburn, a fast-acting antacid (Tums, Maalox) or an alginate (Gaviscon) taken when symptoms hit gives quick relief. If you can anticipate symptoms (e.g. a heavy or spicy meal), an H2 blocker like famotidine taken beforehand both prevents and lasts longer. If heartburn happens 2 or more days a week, an OTC proton pump inhibitor (omeprazole, esomeprazole) used as a 14-day course controls frequent symptoms best — but it works gradually, not instantly. Pair any of these with lifestyle steps: smaller meals, not eating 3 hours before bed, losing excess weight, limiting alcohol, caffeine, and trigger foods, and raising the head of the bed. Antacids are for short-term use only and shouldn't be taken at the same time as some other medicines (leave a 2-4 hour gap); ask your doctor or pharmacist before combining acid reducers with prescription drugs. If you find yourself needing OTC medicine continuously or beyond the labeled course, see a doctor rather than self-treating long term.
See a doctor if heartburn happens most days, keeps coming back, or isn't controlled by lifestyle changes and pharmacy medicines, or if you need OTC acid reducers longer than the label allows. Seek prompt medical care for any 'alarm' symptoms: difficulty or pain when swallowing, food getting stuck or a feeling of food/pills stuck behind the breastbone, persistent vomiting, unexplained weight loss, persistent hoarseness or cough, or ongoing nausea. Get emergency help right away if you vomit blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, pass black or tarry stools, or have chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw — these can signal serious bleeding or a heart attack rather than simple heartburn.
General reference, not medical advice, and not a substitute for your doctor or pharmacist. The right choice depends on your symptoms, health conditions, age, and other medicines — always read each label and confirm before taking anything.
| Strongly suppresses acid for frequent heartburn (2 or more days a week). Not for immediate relief — it can take 1-4 days to work fully and is used as a 14-day course; do not repeat the course more often than every 4 months (up to 3 times a year) unless a doctor advises otherwise. |
esomeprazole Nexium 24HR Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) | Once-daily PPI for frequent heartburn, taken as a 14-day course. Like other OTC PPIs, it prevents and controls frequent symptoms rather than giving instant relief; see a doctor if you need it longer than directed. |