Pediatric acid reflux medications: what parents should know

Some medicines reduce stomach acid, while others help protect irritated tissue or relieve occasional symptoms. Acid suppression may be considered when reflux is troublesome, persistent, or affecting feeding, sleep or the oesophagus. Reflux-like symptoms can also occur with other problems, including gastritis, a hiatus hernia or a peptic ulcer, so treatment should match the suspected cause.

A prescription may be adjusted if symptoms change or if the child is not growing as expected. Medicines designed for adults, leftover doses and home remedies should not be substituted without advice.

Give the medicine exactly as labelled and use the supplied measuring device for liquids. Keep a note of doses, vomiting, feeding difficulty, sleep disruption and symptom triggers. Do not crush, split or mix a formulation unless a pharmacist confirms that this is suitable. Review the plan if symptoms continue, recur after stopping, or occur alongside heartburn, indigestion or excessive burping.

Arrange prompt medical assessment for repeated vomiting, blood in vomit or stool, painful swallowing, dehydration, marked tummy pain, breathing symptoms, or poor weight gain. Seek emergency help if the child is difficult to wake, struggling to breathe, or appears severely unwell.

Ask what diagnosis the medicine is targeting, how long a trial should last, how to give each dose, which side effects need attention, and when the treatment should be reviewed or stopped.