What should you know about fast acting acid reflux medicine?

Antacids can act quickly by neutralising acid already in the stomach. Other medicines reduce acid production and may take longer to reach their full effect. A pharmacist or clinician can help choose an option based on your symptoms, other medicines, pregnancy or medical conditions. Reflux can cause burning behind the breastbone, sour fluid, abdominal discomfort or a cough, while hiatus hernia and obesity can contribute to symptoms.

Relief after medicine does not prove that every chest symptom is reflux. Chest tightness has several possible causes and should be assessed carefully.

Follow the product label and leave any required spacing from other medicines. Smaller meals, avoiding food close to bedtime, raising the head of the bed and noticing personal triggers may reduce episodes. Do not keep self-treating frequent symptoms indefinitely; arrange a review if you need repeated doses, have nighttime cough or difficulty sleeping, or symptoms keep returning.

Get emergency help for crushing or persistent chest pressure, severe breathlessness, fainting, sweating with chest discomfort, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back. Seek prompt medical advice for difficulty swallowing, vomiting blood, black stools, repeated vomiting, unexplained weight loss or severe abdominal pain.

Which medicine suits my symptoms and other treatments? How long should I use it? Could another condition be causing my cough or chest symptoms? Do I need review for hiatus hernia or another trigger? What warning signs should I watch for?