Acid Reflux Treatment

Great!

The Group 1 medicines that you just reviewed are all drugs that can loosen the lower esophageal sphincter, worsening reflux.

You have not reported taking any medications from that group. Now please review our next group of medicines.

Group 2: Medicines That Cause a Dry Mouth

(With less saliva production, the esophagus gets less rinsing than normal.)

Antidepressants or pain medicines that are used to treat nerve pain (tingling or burning pain)

In particular, tricyclic agents. These include amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil) and others.

Antihistamines

Including diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril), loratidine (Claritin), fexofenadine (Allegra), and others.

Prednisone or Prednisolone

Ipratropium or tiotropium inhalers for COPD or asthma

Known as Atrovent, Combivent, and Spiriva. Ipratropium is also used as a nebulizer solution.

Anti-diarrhea medicines

Also listed in "Group 1," examples include loperamide (Imodium) and diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil).

Medicines for an overactive bladder

These medicines were also included in our "Group 1" list; they are on two lists because they worsen GERD in more than one way. They include oxybutynin (Ditropan), tolterodine (Detrol), and others.

Do you take any medications on this list?

Yes, I do take one or more medicines on this list.

No, I do not take any of the medicines in this group.