Acid reflux treatments typically reduce stomach acid secretion, which can help prevent and alleviate complications such as regurgitation (when stomach contents flow back into the throat or mouth) and heartburn. Some medications also help protect the esophagus from damage caused by prolonged acid exposure, improving overall digestive health.

You have plenty of choices when it comes to treating your heartburn. WebMD runs down all your options of OTC and prescription acid reflux and GERD medications.

These medications (cimetidine, famotidine, available IV and orally; and nizatidine available orally) are competitive inhibitors of histamine at the H2 receptor, thus suppressing gastrin-stimulated acid secretion and proportionately reducing gastric juice volume.

Symptoms such as heartburn are the key to the diagnosis of acid reflux disease, especially if lifestyle changes, antacids, or acid-blocking medications help reduce these symptoms.