How to Order ? Simple.
-
1.
Select Treatment
Choose from our treatment options or speak to the in-store pharmacist for advice
-
2.
Complete Medical Questionnaire
Complete our free online medical consultation to be reviewed by our Clinical Team
-
3.
Collect Medication from Local Pharmacy
We will notify you when your medication is ready for collection
Esomeprazole Tablets from £20
Lansoprazole Capsules from £20
Omeprazole Capsules from £20
Advice for Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is a condition that is part of the overarching Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD), which is a digestive condition that commonly occurs in one in five people. It can affect people of all ages, including children. It is most common in adults aged 40 and over and occurs more in men than in women.
Acid reflux (heartburn) occurs when stomach acid leaks out of the stomach and into the oesophagus, which is a long tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach. It is very common in the UK and is thought to affect up to 25% of adults and is slightly more common in men than women.
The condition is characterised by a chest pain that occurs after eating, lying down or bending over and is most often described as 'burning'. It can also leave a sour taste in the mouth, hoarse voice or bad breath, hiccups or a cough that keeps coming back, or feeling bloating or sickness.
Acid reflux is very common and everyone suffers from it at some stage in their life although for some it becomes a chronic condition. It is common to have symptoms occasionally. However, if symptoms are severe or long-term they need to be investigated to rule out more serious conditions. If GORD is not controlled long-term it can cause serious complications, which will require long term management.
If you are only experiencing symptoms a few times a month that can be attributed to food and/or drink then it may not be necessary to see a doctor; self-diagnosis and treatment is likely to be appropriate. The condition is highly treatable thanks to a family of medications known as proton pump inhibitors. These medications suppress the production of stomach acid, neutralising the symptoms of acid reflux.
The common symptoms of Acid Reflux include:
- A burning sensation in the middle of the chest often occurring after eating or when lying down.
- Regurgitation - stomach contents returning up towards the throat. This can leave an unpleasant sour taste in the mouth.
- An unpleasant taste in the mouth, caused by reflux of acid from the stomach
- Pain and difficulty in swallowing
Some associated symptoms people may suffer from include:
- Persistent hiccups
- Persistent cough that worsens at night
- Hoarseness
- Bad breath
- Bloating
- Feeling nauseous
Heartburn can last from a few minutes to several hours, depending on what has caused it. It can also return after an initial episode when you lie down or bend over.
Because people can get a burning sensation or chest pain with acid reflux, a severe case can sometimes be mistaken for heart problems. If you have chest pain it is important to rule out heart problems with your doctor.
If the symptoms are new in onset or become more severe and frequent and the use of over-the-counter remedies has proven ineffective then it is then recommended to seek medical advice.
If people suffer from symptoms of GORD for a long time it can cause severe complications. These complications are mainly due to damage from the acid. The stomach is built to withstand the strong acid it produces but the oesophagus can be damaged by being repeatedly exposed to stomach acid.This damage can lead toOesophageal ulcers, inflammation and irritation of the oesophagus called oesophagitis.
There are various reasons why someone may suffer from acid reflux or heartburn, the most common being a failure of the lower oesophageal sphincter. This sphincter comprises a ring of muscles that act as a valve, allowing food to enter the stomach whilst keeping acid from exiting. If the lower oesophageal sphincter doesn't close fully, it can let acid leak up out of the stomach.
When this muscle is weak or doesn't tighten properly, hydrochloric acid from the stomach can rise into your oesophagus, causing irritation of it’s lining. Whilst the stomach lining has adapted to be protected from this powerful acid, the oesophagus does not have the same protection. This process is often characterised by an acidic or bitter taste in the mouth, or sometimes heartburn.
Heartburn is a common symptom of acid reflux, and despite its misleading name has nothing to do with one's heart. Heartburn occurs during acid reflux where the stomach acid irritates the delicate lining of the oesophagus, typically causing a burning feeling in the chest. This pain can also be a sharp or tightening sensation, and some people may find this moves up to the neck and throat.
There are known triggers that can contribute to experiencing acid reflux and heartburn, these include:
- Being overweight: Carrying extra weight can place increased pressure on your stomach. This pressure can lead to a weakening of the lower oesophageal sphincter allowing acid to move back up your gullet from your stomach.
- Being pregnant: hormonal changes and the weight of the baby on your stomach can cause acid to travel up the throat.
- Tobacco, coffee, alcohol or chocolate: All these can relax the lower oesophagus sphincter
- Hiatus hernia: where part of the stomach protrudes up through the diaphragm.
- Certain medicines: Calcium-channel blockers and nitrates can relax the lower oesophagus sphincter. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can irritate and inflame the oesophagus lining, leading to heartburn.
- Stress & anxiety: as these slow down digestion and mean there is more chance of a buildup of stomach acid.
- Eating large meals Large meals or lying down after eating a meal. Eating or snacking just before going to sleep.
- Eating a diet high in fat. The stomach takes longer to dispose of stomach acid after digesting a high-fat meal.
- Drinking beverages such as alcohol, tea, coffee, or carbonated drinks
- Eating foods that are acidic, fatty or spicy, such as citrus fruits, chocolate and cheese
- Low levels of physical exercise
Acid reflux can be prevented with the use of clinically established medication. Prescription treatments such as Omeprazole, Lansoprazole and Esomeprazole, are regarded as the most effective long term solutions to over-the-counter acid reflux treatments; especially when it comes to prevention.
These prescription acid reflux medications are known as 'proton pump inhibitors' (PPIs), and they work by disrupting the final step in the process of stomach acid secretion. PPIs inhibit the gastric proton pump responsible for producing stomach acid, helping to alleviate acid reflux for extended periods of time if taken regularly.
There are different types of PPI. They all work similarly, but their ingredients mean that some are more suitable for certain people and specific conditions. This means you may be prescribed a PPI for acid reflux that is different to someone else. For example, you cannot take Lansoprazole if you are pregnant, but Omeprazole is safe for you to take.
PPIs are taken 30 minutes before meals either once or twice a day. They normally take two to four days to start working, and it is usually recommended to take them for between four and 12 weeks. If taken for a longer period, the reduction in stomach acid can raise your risk of side effects, but this will depend on how long you're taking medication, and even then the risks are small.
At Pharmacinta, we provide the following PPIs:
- Omeprazole
- Lansoprazole
- Esomeprazole
Lifestyle changes can also be made to address some of the common risk factors causing the acid reflux symptoms. Combining lifestyle changes with treatment can have a beneficial synergistic effect when it comes to treating acid reflux symptoms.
Over the counter treatments for acid reflux work by creating a barrier on top of the stomach. This barrier blocks the acid from travelling up the oesophagus towards the mouth, hence relieving the symptoms of heartburn. There are many over the counter treatments available such as Gaviscon, Rennie and Zantac. For some types of reflux, these may offer relief but are not always a convenient long term solution.
There are different categories of treatment and their uses and explanations are listed below.Generally, patients should start with antacids and then make their way down the list if treatment does not control their symptoms.
- Antacids – the first line treatment. These help neutralise stomach acid to relieve symptoms. The effects usually last for 2-3 hours. Examples of antacids include Rennie and Andrews Salts.
- Alginates – neutralize and form a layer on the top of stomach acid, which prevents upward movement. These are available in tablet and liquid forms, although liquids act quicker but are more inconvenient to carry around. They usually last no more than 3-4 hours. Examples include Gaviscon Liquid.
- H2 Receptor Antagonists -they reduce the production of stomach acid and start to work in as little as 30 minutes, and their effects can last for up to 12 hours. They are well tolerated and side effects are rare. Examples include Ranitidine.
Lifestyle Changes
Heartburn can be significantly reduced with changes to your lifestyle. Below are some of the most effective ways to reduce the frequency and severity of acid reflux symptoms.
- Avoid foods that trigger acid reflux.
- Avoid lying down after eating a meal as this can trigger the onset of acid reflux.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing to reduce the pressure applied to the abdomen and lower oesophageal sphincter.
- Maintain a healthy weight by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.
- Eating smaller meals more frequently and avoiding eating within 3 hours of going to bed
- Reducing your stress and anxiety if you are stressed and anxious
- Sleeping with your head and chest above the level of your waist
Combining some of these easily implementable tips with clinically proven medication is an effective way to help reduce acid reflux and heartburn.
Home Remedies
There are various home remedies that people use to treat acid reflux. There is little research to show how effective they are:
- Milk can act as a buffer in the stomach and stop acid increasing; however, the fat content in some types of milk can also aggravate acid reflux.
- Ginger is alkaline and anti-inflammatory, neutralising the acid and easing irritation in the digestive tract.
- Apple cider vinegar and lemon juice have acidic properties, but when diluted with warm water, some people find they help their acid reflux.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, acid reflux can affect the sinuses for those that are struggling with the condition over a long period of time. Acid reflux can actually cause hoarseness, sore or burning throat, post-nasal drip, sinusitis, cough and lots more.
Acid reflux is usually diagnosed from your symptoms, its duration and severity.
Milk is known to reduce symptoms straight after drinking it, but could actually cause symptoms to become worse after a while. This is mainly because of the high quantity of fat in milk products.
Acid reflux is very common and generally eases with lifestyle changes and treatment. If left untreated, chronic acid reflux can be dangerous long-term. The stomach acid can damage the oesophagus leading to complications and in rare cases can eventually cause oesophageal cancer.
Acid reflux occurs in about 1 in 5 of us, however, as we get older, the majority of us are likely to experience the symptoms of heartburn.
You should see your GP if you are having symptoms regularly, you have difficulty swallowing and if over the counter medications are not helping. If any of the following symptoms occur, seek medical advice: Persistent vomiting Vomiting blood Unexplained weight loss
Acid reflux can become worse when eating fatty food, smoking, drinking caffeinated drinks and eating chocolate. Avoiding these may help reduce symptoms. Being overweight and stress have also been shown to make acid reflux more common.
Without seeing a GP for a check-up, Omeprazole should only be taken for 4-5 days to help control acid reflux. If your symptoms persist, this may be indicative of a more serious condition, and you should see your GP for a full checkup.
Omeprazole should work quickly for heartburn although this varies between patients. Some people find symptoms improve after the first dose although it can take up to 4 weeks for the full effect to be seen.
Antacids like Gaviscon can be used with omeprazole but should be taken at least 2 hours after omeprazole.
No, Omeprazole is a prescription-only medicine in the UK.
Weight gain has been linked to long-term use of omeprazole. The reasons for this link are unclear but they are thought to be due to increased food consumption because of a lack of acid reflux and indigestion.
Yes, omeprazole can cause constipation in some people.
The longer you take omeprazole, the more you are at risk of developing serious side effects. If you take omeprazole for more than 3 months, the levels of magnesium in your blood may fall. Taking omeprazole for over a year increases your chances of bone fractures, gut infections, and Vitamin B12 deficiencies.
There is very little to choose between the different PPIs in terms of side effects, interaction with other medications, and overall efficacy at treating acid reflux/indigestion.
PPIs have been safely used for over 30 years. PPIs may affect some other medications. The main risk of taking PPIs is the danger of masking the symptoms of a cancer in the stomach or gullet and so in some situations a GP should be consulted before using a PPI.
PPIs are safe to take, but certain health conditions mean your doctor will carefully consider your situation before prescribing you a PPI for acid reflux.
No, lansoprazole needs to be prescribed to you by a doctor.
Yes, you can get lansoprazole on the NHS, or you may be prescribed a similar treatment if it’s more suitable for you.
Lansoprazole can cause benign polyps, which could cause pain in your stomach. If you get stomach pain that does not go away whilst taking lansoprazole, speak with your doctor.
Lansoprazole is not known to cause weight gain. Some patients have reported weight gain, which may be caused by kidney problems.
Gaviscon is an antacid, which can be taken with lansoprazole, but you must speak with your doctor first. You should wait 2 hours after taking lansoprazole before taking Gaviscon.
