How to get rid of medication-induced heartburn?

October 9, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, some medications are a common cause of esophagitis, an inflammation of the esophagus, which can lead to heartburn. When a new medication brings on that uncomfortable burning sensation, it is crucial to understand how to get rid of medication-induced heartburn safely and effectively without discontinuing your prescribed treatment.

Quick Summary

This guide explores effective strategies for alleviating heartburn caused by medications, including proper pill-taking methods, lifestyle adjustments, and identifying common drug culprits. It covers both over-the-counter remedies and when it is necessary to consult a healthcare provider for a treatment plan.

Key Points

Consult your doctor: Never stop or change a medication regimen without first speaking to your healthcare provider, especially if you suspect it's causing heartburn.
Proper pill technique: Always swallow pills with a full glass of water and remain upright for at least 30 minutes afterward to prevent esophageal irritation.
Dietary modifications: Avoid known trigger foods such as spicy, fatty foods, citrus, and caffeine, which can worsen heartburn symptoms.
Lifestyle adjustments: Maintain a healthy weight, eat smaller meals, and elevate your head in bed to reduce pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter.
OTC relief: Antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are available over the counter for short-term relief, but check for drug interactions.
Identify common culprits: Be aware that NSAIDs, antibiotics, and certain blood pressure medications are frequent causes of drug-induced heartburn.

Understanding Medication-Induced Heartburn

Heartburn is the uncomfortable burning sensation in your chest caused by acid reflux. Certain medications can cause this either by directly irritating the esophageal lining or by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), allowing stomach acid to flow back. This irritation is sometimes referred to as pill esophagitis. Identifying the cause is important, and you should always consult your doctor or pharmacist if you suspect a medication is the culprit.

Common Medications That Cause Heartburn

Several types of medications are known to cause heartburn, including NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin, certain antibiotics such as doxycycline, bisphosphonates used for osteoporosis, calcium channel blockers, and iron or potassium supplements.

Practical Tips for Taking Medication

Adjusting how you take your medication can significantly help prevent and reduce medication-induced heartburn.

Improve Your Swallowing Technique

Always take pills with a full glass of water (around 8 ounces) to ensure they pass quickly to the stomach. Remain standing or sitting upright for 30 to 60 minutes after taking medication to prevent it from irritating the esophageal lining. Avoid taking medication just before bed. Taking certain medications with food can help, but always confirm with your doctor or pharmacist if this is appropriate for your specific drug.

Lifestyle and Dietary Adjustments

Making changes to your lifestyle and diet can also help alleviate heartburn symptoms.

Modify Eating Habits

Eating smaller, more frequent meals can reduce pressure on the stomach and LES. Limit or avoid trigger foods like spicy or fatty items, citrus, tomatoes, caffeine, and alcohol. Wait at least 3 hours after eating before lying down.

Other Beneficial Habits

Elevating the head of your bed by 6 to 8 inches can help with nighttime heartburn. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce abdominal pressure that worsens reflux. Quitting smoking is also beneficial as it strengthens the LES.

Medical Treatment Options

If symptoms persist, medical treatments may be necessary. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment due to potential drug interactions.

Over-the-Counter and Prescription Solutions

Antacids offer quick, short-term relief by neutralizing stomach acid. H2 blockers like famotidine reduce acid production for longer periods. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole provide long-lasting acid suppression.

Comparison of Heartburn Treatment Options


Feature	Lifestyle & Proper Administration	Antacids	H2 Blockers	Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
Mechanism	Behavioral changes, improving pill passage, reducing triggers.	Neutralize existing stomach acid for quick relief.	Reduce stomach acid production for several hours.	Suppress acid production at its source for long-lasting relief.
Speed of Relief	Can be immediate with improved technique; long-term with dietary changes.	Immediate (minutes).	1-3 hours.	1-4 days for full effect.
Duration of Relief	Ongoing with consistent habits.	Short-term (approx. 2 hours).	Longer-term (up to 12 hours).	Longest-term (24 hours or more).
Best For	Proactive prevention and managing mild symptoms.	Occasional, on-demand relief.	Prevention and control of mild to moderate, recurring heartburn.	Frequent, persistent heartburn (more than twice a week).
Drug Interactions	None.	Possible with some prescription drugs; consult a pharmacist.	Possible interactions; consult a pharmacist.	Possible interactions; consult a pharmacist.

When to Contact a Doctor

Discuss any medication-induced heartburn with your healthcare provider and never stop prescribed medication without their guidance. Seek medical attention for severe or persistent symptoms, lack of relief from OTC medications, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, black or bloody stools, or vomit resembling coffee grounds.

Conclusion

Medication-induced heartburn is manageable. Strategies range from adjusting how you take medication and modifying your diet and lifestyle to using over-the-counter options like antacids or H2 blockers. For persistent issues, stronger treatments like PPIs or a different medication may be recommended by your doctor. Always communicate with your healthcare provider for safe and effective management. Simple measures like drinking plenty of water with pills, as suggested by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), can be very helpful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common medications known to cause heartburn include NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, aspirin), certain antibiotics (e.g., tetracycline), bisphosphonates for osteoporosis, calcium channel blockers, and iron or potassium supplements.

Yes, for some medications, a liquid formulation can be less irritating to the esophagus and may help resolve the heartburn. This is an option to discuss with your doctor or pharmacist.

Drinking a full glass of water ensures that the medication is washed down into the stomach quickly, preventing the pill from getting stuck in the esophagus where it can dissolve and cause irritation.

Some home remedies like chewing gum (sugar-free) to increase saliva, consuming ginger tea, or eating bananas may offer some relief by neutralizing or soothing the stomach. Always avoid mint-flavored gum.

Taking medication with food can provide a buffer for the stomach lining, but it's important to ask your doctor or pharmacist if your specific medication can be taken with food, as it might affect absorption.

While often benign, you should see a doctor if your heartburn is severe, persistent, or accompanied by symptoms like difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, black stools, or bloody vomit.

Some over-the-counter antacids can interact with prescription medications. It is essential to consult with your pharmacist or doctor before combining medications to ensure there are no negative interactions.

To prevent medication-induced heartburn, you should remain upright for at least 30 to 60 minutes after swallowing your pills. Taking medication right before bed is not recommended.