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Medications for GERD

Other names: Acid reflux; Esophageal Reflux; Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease; Heartburn; Pyrosis; Reflux

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Jun 19, 2025.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive condition characterized by frequent backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus, resulting in heartburn and regurgitation. The disorder occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter, a muscle that typically prevents gastric contents from refluxing upward, malfunctions. This acid reflux irritates the esophageal lining, which lacks the stomach's protective mechanisms against acidic contents. Medications used to treat GERD and symptoms such as heartburn include:

  • Antacids: calcium carbonate, aluminum/magnesium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate
  • Alginate combinations: such as alginic acid/aluminum hydroxide/magnesium carbonate or alginic acid/aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate
  • H2 Receptor Antagonists: famotidine, ranitidine, cimetidine, nizatidine
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors: omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, dexlansoprazole
  • Prokinetic Agents: metoclopramide, domperidone
  • Mucosal Protectants: sucralfate
  • Potassium-Competitive Acid Blockers: vonoprazan.

Drugs used to treat GERD

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
omeprazole
4.8 291 reviews for omeprazole to treat GERD Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
omeprazole systemic
Brand names:
Prilosec, Prilosec OTC
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
pantoprazole
4.8 277 reviews for pantoprazole to treat GERD Rx B N
Generic name:
pantoprazole systemic
Brand names:
Protonix, Protonix IV
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
famotidine
3.9 110 reviews for famotidine to treat GERD Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
famotidine systemic
Brand names:
Pepcid, Acid Controller Maximum Strength, Acid Controller Original Strength, Acid Reducer Maximum Strength, Heartburn Relief, Heartburn Relief Maximum Strength, Pepcid Oral Suspension
Drug class:
H2 antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Nexium
5.8 160 reviews for Nexium to treat GERD Rx C N
Generic name:
esomeprazole systemic
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
FDA approval date:
February 20, 2001
Protonix
6.7 52 reviews for Protonix to treat GERD Rx B N
Generic name:
pantoprazole systemic
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Prilosec
6.9 41 reviews for Prilosec to treat GERD Rx C N
Generic name:
omeprazole systemic
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
ranitidine
7.3 102 reviews for ranitidine to treat GERD Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
ranitidine systemic
Drug class:
H2 antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Dexilant
6.3 166 reviews for Dexilant to treat GERD Rx B N
Generic name:
dexlansoprazole systemic
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Aciphex
9.3 36 reviews for Aciphex to treat GERD Rx B N
Generic name:
rabeprazole systemic
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
FDA approval date:
July 1, 2008
Prilosec OTC
8.4 17 reviews for Prilosec OTC to treat GERD OTC C N
Generic name:
omeprazole systemic
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
esomeprazole
5.7 198 reviews for esomeprazole to treat GERD Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
esomeprazole systemic
Brand names:
Nexium, Nexium 24HR, Nexium IV
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
lansoprazole
6.6 102 reviews for lansoprazole to treat GERD Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
lansoprazole systemic
Brand names:
Prevacid, Prevacid OTC, Prevacid SoluTab
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Pepcid
6.8 4 reviews for Pepcid to treat GERD Rx B N
Generic name:
famotidine systemic
Drug class:
H2 antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Prevacid
7.9 45 reviews for Prevacid to treat GERD Rx B N
Generic name:
lansoprazole systemic
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
FDA approval date:
May 14, 2009
rabeprazole
8.0 55 reviews for rabeprazole to treat GERD Rx B N
Generic name:
rabeprazole systemic
Brand names:
Aciphex, Aciphex Sprinkle
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
sucralfate
6.3 101 reviews for sucralfate to treat GERD Rx B N
Generic name:
sucralfate systemic
Brand name:
Carafate
Drug class:
miscellaneous GI agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Nexium 24HR
8.2 5 reviews for Nexium 24HR to treat GERD OTC C N
Generic name:
esomeprazole systemic
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Carafate
6.2 28 reviews for Carafate to treat GERD Rx B N
Generic name:
sucralfate systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous GI agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Protonix IV
9.0 1 review for Protonix IV to treat GERD Rx B N
Generic name:
pantoprazole systemic
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Acid Controller Maximum Strength
Rate Add review OTC B N
Generic name:
famotidine systemic
Drug class:
H2 antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Acid Controller Original Strength
Rate Add review OTC B N
Generic name:
famotidine systemic
Drug class:
H2 antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Acid Reducer Maximum Strength
Rate Add review Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
famotidine systemic
Drug class:
H2 antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
dexlansoprazole
6.5 202 reviews for dexlansoprazole to treat GERD Rx B N
Generic name:
dexlansoprazole systemic
Brand name:
Dexilant
Drug class:
proton pump inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Heartburn Relief
Rate Add review OTC B N
Generic name:
famotidine systemic
Drug class:
H2 antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Heartburn Relief Maximum Strength
Rate Add review Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
famotidine systemic
Drug class:
H2 antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under GERD

Alternative treatments for GERD

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for GERD. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However, there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of GERD.

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Available for purchase by prescription only.
OTC Available for purchase over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Available for purchase by prescription or over-the-counter.
Alcohol The medication interacts with alcohol (if marked with "✕").
New approval The FDA has approved this medication within the past year.
Off-label The FDA may not approve this medication for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded access Expanded access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
✕ Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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