There are several varieties of medicines used to assist with reflux. While some are helpful with symptom management, other versions are utilized specifically to allow for healing when reflux has caused tissue damage. It is important to inform your doctor of any medications you take to assist with reflux/heartburn.
Most often, when a diagnosis of reflux laryngitis is made, you may be prescribed medication that will help to resolve the damage to the larynx. It is important to understand that the reflux injury to the larynx has occurred over an extended period of time. Healing/recovery can take several weeks to even months. How closely you adhere to the management regimen can impact how well/quickly the impacted tissue can recover.
In this practice, medications are not intended to be used long-term although often times, extended use is required for optimal healing. In other cases, they may be indicated to help prevent more serious health issues that are suspected to be significantly impacted by reflux (i.e., tracheal stenosis, reactive vocal cord lesions, etc.). You can always discuss your medication further with your doctor or SLP should you have any concerns in this regard.
Here you will find the two most commonly prescribed classes of medications used by this practice to assist in resolving reflux laryngitis. Within each class, there are several different medications as well as doses. If you have any questions regarding medication prescription changes, the nursing staff can typically answer these for you.
Most often, when a diagnosis of reflux laryngitis is made, you may be prescribed medication that will help to resolve the damage to the larynx. It is important to understand that the reflux injury to the larynx has occurred over an extended period of time. Healing/recovery can take several weeks to even months. How closely you adhere to the management regimen can impact how well/quickly the impacted tissue can recover.
In this practice, medications are not intended to be used long-term although often times, extended use is required for optimal healing. In other cases, they may be indicated to help prevent more serious health issues that are suspected to be significantly impacted by reflux (i.e., tracheal stenosis, reactive vocal cord lesions, etc.). You can always discuss your medication further with your doctor or SLP should you have any concerns in this regard.
Here you will find the two most commonly prescribed classes of medications used by this practice to assist in resolving reflux laryngitis. Within each class, there are several different medications as well as doses. If you have any questions regarding medication prescription changes, the nursing staff can typically answer these for you.
Proper Administration
HOW and WHEN you take your medication can also be extremely important in how well it is able to help. In some cases, medications can be much less effective when not taken properly. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions regarding how to take a prescribed medication.
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
These medications are typically used to assist with healing tissue damage that has occurred as a result of chronic and uncontrolled reflux. These medications work by attempting to shut off the acid pumps in the stomach, essentially minimizing how much acid the stomach produces and therefore, the acidic content in the food material within the stomach. These medications are most commonly prescribed for once or twice daily use.
Despite the use of a PPI, it is still possible for the stomach to produce acid. In some cases, the PPI may not be able to effectively shut down 100% of the routine acid production and in other cases, certain foods may cause a “surge” in the body’s response to produce acid. In either case, persistent acid production in the presence of a PPI is commonly known as “breakthrough production.” Breakthrough production is best controlled by following the dietary guidelines as closely as possible, and taking the medication appropriately, as prescribed. It may be that your medication dosage may need to be modified if you are suspected of having excessive breakthrough production. This can be further discussed with your doctor.
Commonly Prescribed PPI's:
- Nexium
- Kapidex
- Prilosec (Omeprazole)
- Prevacid (Lansoprazole)
- Protonix (Pantoprazole)
- AciPhex
- Zegerid
Taking a PPI
PPIs are much less effective in shutting off the acid pumps when they are taken improperly. It is very important to take this medication properly in order to ensure its maximum effectiveness.
Once Daily: All PPIs should be taken first thing in the morning, with just a glass of water. Allow at least 30-45 minutes to pass before eating or drinking anything. Other medications may be taken simultaneously, although this should be discussed with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Twice Daily: If you are prescribed a twice daily dose, the first dose should be taken first thing in the morning, with just a glass of water. Allow at least 30-45 minutes to pass before eating or drinking anything. For the second dose, it is important you have an empty stomach before taking.
There are two options for the second dose:
Option 1: Do not eat or drink anything besides water for three hours (allowing your stomach to empty). This can be done by not snacking in the afternoon for a period of three hours, take the medication, then wait 30-45 min before having dinner.
Option 2: Have dinner, wait three hours, then take with just water before bed. You should not have anything besides water to eat or drink following this dose.
Once Daily: All PPIs should be taken first thing in the morning, with just a glass of water. Allow at least 30-45 minutes to pass before eating or drinking anything. Other medications may be taken simultaneously, although this should be discussed with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Twice Daily: If you are prescribed a twice daily dose, the first dose should be taken first thing in the morning, with just a glass of water. Allow at least 30-45 minutes to pass before eating or drinking anything. For the second dose, it is important you have an empty stomach before taking.
There are two options for the second dose:
Option 1: Do not eat or drink anything besides water for three hours (allowing your stomach to empty). This can be done by not snacking in the afternoon for a period of three hours, take the medication, then wait 30-45 min before having dinner.
Option 2: Have dinner, wait three hours, then take with just water before bed. You should not have anything besides water to eat or drink following this dose.
H2 Blockers
The stomach can be stimulated to produce acid by a number of different factors. Histamine2 (H2) is one such chemical in the body that can cause the stomach to produce acid. By blocking the action of H2, the stomach produces less acid. In contrast to the PPIs, it does not shut down acid production entirely and therefore, PPIs are typically considered the highest level of medication for this purpose, although H2 Blockers are typically more useful in more long-term treatment.
Commonly Prescribed H2 Blockers:
- Tagamet (Cimetidine)
- Pepcid, Pepcid AC (Famotidine)
- Axid, Axid AR (Mizatidine)
- Zantac (Ranitidine)
Taking an H2 Blocker
|
H2 Blocker medications should be taken with a glass of water. Wait 30 minutes before eating anything.
|
Why Different Medications?
PPIs and H2 blockers are two different types of medications that act differently to control acid production. PPIs attempt to shut down the acid pumps in the stomach, while H2 blockers work by blocking a stimulant for producing acid. PPIs have a delayed onset of action, while H2 blockers begin working relatively quickly. PPIs generally are effective for up to 24 hours, while H2 blockers usually only work up to 12 hours. Because how PPIs and H2 blockers work is different, you may be prescribed both for use simultaneously. Should you have any questions regarding the medications you are prescribed or how you should be taking them, always ask your doctor or pharmacist.
