About Acid Reflux Disease

Treatment Options for Acid Reflux Disease

When you have heartburn, there are many acid reflux treatments you can get over the counter (without a doctor's prescription). And while some of these may give you temporary heartburn relief, they may not always be the best option for you. If you're taking antacids more than twice a week, it could mean that the problem isn't just heartburn. It may be a more serious condition—acid reflux disease. If you think you may have acid reflux disease, talk to your doctor about the best acid reflux treatment option for you.

Three types of treatments include

Antacids
Antacids work by neutralizing stomach acid. They can provide fast relief from occasional heartburn, but the relief is usually short-term.

H2 blockers
H2 blockers reduce acid production in the stomach by blocking a signal that leads to acid secretion. They can help heal possible damage to the esophagus that may be caused by acid reflux disease.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
Proton pump inhibitors—like Nexium—are an effective treatment for acid reflux disease. They work by turning off some of the "acid pumps" in the stomach's acid-producing cells. Most PPIs are available only with a doctor's prescription. PPIs can provide heartburn relief and heal possible damage to the esophagus that may be caused over time by acid reflux disease.

Ask your doctor which acid reflux treatment option is best for you.

Interactive Doctor Discussion Guide

Not quite sure how to talk to your doctor about your symptoms?

Use this interactive guide to help you answer a few quick questions. Then take the information with you to your next appointment.

Launch Guide

Nexium has no generic substitute If your doctor has prescribed Nexium, check the name on your prescription fill at the pharmacy.

Learn why you shouldn't be switched

Fun FactLeonardo da Vinci believed that it was better to work under a purple light because it increased meditation and concentration.

Important Safety Information About NEXIUM

  • Symptom relief does not rule out the presence of other serious stomach conditions
  • NEXIUM may increase your risk of getting severe diarrhea. Call your doctor right away if you have watery stool, stomach pain and fever that does not go away
  • Talk to your doctor about your risk for:
    • bone fractures if you take multiple daily doses of NEXIUM for a long period of time
    • low magnesium levels if you take NEXIUM for a long period of time
  • Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take, prescription and non-prescription drugs, including clopidogrel, vitamins and herbal supplements. NEXIUM may affect how other medicines work and other medicines may affect how NEXIUM works.
  • Side effects with NEXIUM include headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain

Approved Uses for Nexium

NEXIUM is prescribed to treat the symptoms of acid reflux disease, which typically include persistent heartburn on 2 or more days per week, despite treatment and change of diet.

For many people, NEXIUM is also prescribed to heal damage to the esophagus called erosive esophagitis. This damage may be caused over time from stomach acid wearing away the lining of the esophagus. Only a doctor can diagnose this condition. With NEXIUM, most erosions heal in 4 to 8 weeks. Your results with NEXIUM may vary.

Please see Prescribing Information. PDF Icon
Please see Medication Guide. PDF Icon

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.