Acid Reflux Treatment

You have identified that you are taking one or more medicines from Group 1, the list that you just reviewed. This may be a part of your problem.

Those medicines are all drugs that can loosen the lower esophageal sphincter, worsening reflux.

You may want to discuss your medication choices with your doctor, to see if there are any medications that could be substituted, that won't contribute to your reflux. Please do not discontinue a prescribed medication without the advice of a physician.

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 are 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.