9 Medications That Can Cause Heartburn - Article Health

If you have heartburn, pills can be your best friend and worst enemy.

Some pills (such as antacids) soothe the painful burning you experience after downing an order of buffalo wings or drinking one too many glasses of wine.

Other pills—the ones you take for health conditions that are not related to heartburn—can make the pain worse or even trigger heartburn in the first place. Is your medication to blame for your pain? This guide will help you find out.

Popular over-the-counter ibuprofen products such as Motrin and Advil can increase acid production in the stomach. Try acetaminophen (Tylenol) instead.

“It does not increase acid levels,” says Vivek Kaul, MD, a gastroenterologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center, in Rochester, N.Y.

Even a narcotic such as Percocet may be better for your stomach than taking six Motrin tablets a day, he says. But some narcotics can cause heartburn—in addition to being habit-forming—so discuss your options with your physician.

Osteoporosis drugs known as bisphosphenates—including blockbusters like alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate (Boniva), and risedronate (Actonel)—are notorious for causing heartburn.

Newer formulations that are taken less frequently may be easier on the stomach.

Reclast, for instance, is an infusion drug that needs to be taken only once a year.

If you’re still on a daily or weekly pill schedule, taking the medication first thing in the morning (before eating or drinking) may help minimize heartburn.


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