Medicines that can cause acid reflux

Examples include some pain relievers, medicines that affect blood pressure, certain sedatives, and products that slow movement through the stomach. A tablet can also irritate the food pipe if swallowed with too little water or while lying down. Acid reflux may feel like burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste, cough, or discomfort after meals; it can contribute to Chronic Cough or Difficulty Sleeping.

A medicine may be one factor among several. A Hiatus Hernia, Obesity, large meals, and lying down soon after eating can also increase reflux symptoms.

Keep a note of the medicine name, dose, timing, and when symptoms appear. Swallow tablets with adequate water and remain upright unless the label gives different instructions. A pharmacist or prescriber can review alternatives, dose timing, or an acid-reducing treatment. Do not stop heart, blood pressure, steroid, or other regular treatment without medical guidance.

Get urgent help for chest tightness with breathlessness, sweating, faintness, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Arrange prompt review for food sticking, painful swallowing, vomiting blood, black stool, unexplained weight loss, or persistent symptoms. New or severe Abdominal Pain should also be assessed rather than assumed to be reflux.

Ask whether a particular medicine could be contributing, how to take it safely, whether an alternative exists, and how long an acid-reducing treatment should be tried.