Drugs that cause heartburn: what to know

Heartburn happens when stomach contents move upwards and irritate the oesophagus. Medicines that may contribute include some anti-inflammatory pain medicines, certain blood-pressure medicines, some medicines for bone health, and medicines that affect muscle movement or digestion. The effect varies between people and may depend on timing, dose, posture, and other conditions. Symptoms may also reflect acid reflux, gastritis, a hiatus hernia, or a peptic ulcer, so do not assume a medicine is the only cause.

Make a list of every prescription, non-prescription medicine, and supplement you use, then discuss the timing of symptoms with a pharmacist or clinician. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without advice. A clinician may alter the timing, dose, or medicine, or recommend an acid-reducing treatment when appropriate. Taking medicines with the recommended amount of water and remaining upright when advised may reduce irritation. Avoid treating repeated symptoms with antacids indefinitely without a review.

Seek urgent help for chest pressure or tightness with sweating, breathlessness, faintness, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Arrange prompt assessment for difficulty swallowing, vomiting blood, black stools, persistent vomiting, unexplained weight loss, or severe new abdominal pain. Frequent or worsening heartburn also deserves a clinical review, particularly after a new medicine starts.

Ask whether any of your medicines can worsen heartburn, whether the timing should change, which alternatives are suitable, and how long self-care is reasonable. Ask what symptoms would suggest reflux, gastritis, or an ulcer instead of a simple medicine effect.