Acid Reflux Treatment

Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) is a severe form of acid reflux; when acid from the stomach leaks into the oesophagus (the tube connecting your stomach and throat) and causes a burning sensation in the chest, pain and inflammation.

Normally, there is a barrier between the stomach and the oesophagus that prevents the acid from escaping. In acid reflux, this barrier is weakened and impaired.

What are the symptoms of GORD (Acid Reflux)?

The main symptoms are heartburn, bloating and belching, bad breath, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, pain or difficulty swallowing.

What are the treatments for GORD?

Although there is no cure for GORD, it can be treated by:

Eating frequent, small portions

Prescription medication (proton pumps inhibitors, H2 receptor antagonists)

Over the counter medication such as antacid and alginate.

How can I avoid GORD?

Some people find that they suffer from lifelong acid reflux. However, you can reduce the chances by eating smaller portions and more often, raising the head of your bed, staying a healthy weight, and avoiding foods and drink that triggers your acid reflux.

At Dears Pharmacy following a short consultation with our pharmacist we can supply the following without prescription:

• Esomeprazole (Generic Nexium)
• Lansoprazole

Esomeprazole (Generic Nexium)

What is Nexium and what is it used for?

Esomeprazole is a drug used to treat Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD), the more severe form of acid reflux. It contains esomeprazole as its active substance, a proton pump inhibitor drug that can used for acid-related conditions of the stomach and intestines.

What is Acid Reflux (GORD)?

Acid reflux is when acid finds its way back into the throat and mouth, causing a burning sensation. Usually, there is a barrier between the stomach and the oesophagus to prevent the acid from flowing back into the mouth, which is less effective in GORD.

How does it work?

The class of drugs to which esomeprazole belongs work to reduce the amount of acid that the stomach produces. In turn, this reduces the symptoms associated with escaped acid flowing into the throat like the burning feeling in the chest or throat that so often characterises the condition.

How should I take Esomeprazole?

You should take one tablet in the morning with water before a meal. For the medication to work correctly, you should swallow the tablet whole and not break or chew it.

What is the different between Nexium and Esomeprazole?

Esomeprazole is the active ingredient in Nexium (the branded version) and also available as Generic Esomeprazole, but at a lower cost. Both medications are medically equivalent in efficacy and amount. All generic medications available in the UK have to demonstrate equivalency before they can be sold, and that they have the same effect in the body as the original brand. Generic medicines are as equally effective as the original.

Side Effects

One in ten people taking the medicine can experience the following side effects:

• nausea
• headache
• dizziness
• constipation
• stomach pain
• flatulence

Product Information

View the patient information leaflet for Esomeprazole 20mg.

Lansoprazole 

What is Lansoprazole and what is it used for?

Lansoprazole is a medication used to treat acid reflux or heartburn. It belongs to a family of drugs called ‘proton pump inhibitors’ that help to relieve the symptoms associated including pain in the chest and inflammation.

What is Acid Reflux (GORD)?

Acid Reflux or Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) is when acid escapes from the stomach and makes it way into the oesophagus (the tube that connects the stomach to the mouth), causing inflammation and a burning pain in the chest as the acid is regurgitated back into the throat. Usually, there is a barrier between the stomach and the gullet that prevents the acid from passing into the oesophagus. This barrier is impaired in GORD.

How does it work?

Lansoprazole works by reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach and thus decreases the symptoms associated with heartburn and the acid entering the oesophagus.

How should I take Lansoprazole?

The medication should be taken every day for 4 weeks and continued for another 4 weeks if not fully healed. It is best to take the medicine in the morning at least 30 minutes before eating and very important not to break or chew on the tablets; they should be swallowed whole with water for them to work correctly.

Side Effects

Like all medications, Lansoprazole can have some side effects, but not everyone will experience them. Common side effects of the drug are:

• headache
• stomach pain
• flatulence
• nausea
• diarrhoea

Product Information

View the patient information leaflet for Lansoprazole 15 mg.

Service details

Price: Small charge

Frequency: When required…

Availability

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