I've heard that some medicines can make the symptoms of GERD worse. Can you tell me more?

Answer From Sahil Khanna, M.B.B.S., M.S.

Certain medicines and dietary supplements can irritate the lining of the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach, called the esophagus. This can cause heartburn pain that is like the heartburn of gastroesophageal reflux disease, often called GERD for short. Other medicines can make GERD worse.

GERD is an ongoing, called chronic, condition in which stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. This backward flow of acid irritates the lining of the esophagus and leads to heartburn and pain.

Medicines and dietary supplements that can irritate the esophagus and cause heartburn pain that is like the pain of GERD include:

  • Antibiotics, such as tetracycline and clindamycin.
  • Bisphosphonates taken by mouth, such as alendronate (Binosto, Fosamax), ibandronate and risedronate (Actonel, Atelvia).
  • Iron supplements.
  • Quinidine.
  • Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and aspirin.
  • Potassium supplements.

Medicines and dietary supplements that may increase acid reflux and worsen GERD include:

  • Anticholinergics, such as oxybutynin, prescribed for overactive bladder and irritable bowel syndrome.
  • Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, and doxepin (Silenor).
  • Calcium channel blockers, statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and nitrates used for high blood pressure and heart disease.
  • Narcotics, also called opioids, such as codeine, and those that have hydrocodone and acetaminophen.
  • Progesterone.
  • Sedatives or tranquilizers, including benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) and temazepam (Restoril).
  • Theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theochron).

If you have GERD, ask your healthcare professional if medicines you take might affect your symptoms.

With

Sahil Khanna, M.B.B.S., M.S.

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Jan. 11, 2024 See more Expert Answers

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  1. Asthma and acid reflux
  2. Bile reflux
  3. Breastfeeding and medications
  4. Cough
  5. Counting calories
  6. Diabetic Gastroparesis
  7. Gastroparesis
  8. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  9. Heartburn medicines and B-12 deficiency
  10. Honey: An effective cough remedy?
  11. What causes laryngospasm?
  12. Minimally invasive anti-reflux procedures
  13. Minimally invasive anti-reflux surgery
  14. Needle biopsy
  15. Nissen fundoplication
  16. Opera Star's Surgery
  17. Relaxation techniques
  18. Scleroderma
  19. Upper endoscopy
  20. Endoscopy
  21. Fundoplication
  22. X-ray