We all know what it's like to deal with unpleasant and uncomfortable digestive issues. Too much food, too much coffee, and even stress can trigger such symptoms as nausea, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, and gas. That's why it’s important to remember to treat each of your symptoms safely and effectively — starting with knowing and understanding which over-the-counter (OTC) solutions are available and how they can help make you feel better fast.
Also referred to as acid reflux, heartburn is an uncomfortable, painful, or burning feeling in your chest or throat that may begin after a meal and last a few minutes to many hours. It happens when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. Other symptoms may include a hot, sour, or acidic fluid felt in the back of your throat, as well as a cough that lasts for a while, sore throat, or hoarse voice.
If you experience heartburn, you know it's more than just uncomfortable or painful - it can affect your daily life. It can also disrupt sleep, productivity at work, and social occasions. It's important not to ignore your symptoms. Even a small amount of stomach acid can cause significant pain or discomfort. If left untreated, the stomach acid that causes heartburn can even damage your esophagus and teeth.
When deciding how to treat your heartburn symptoms, there are many options to consider. Occasional and frequent heartburn is relatively common and can be managed with lifestyle changes as well as with certain OTC medicines. There are also several lifestyle changes that you can make to help reduce or avoid the symptoms of heartburn including, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and/or practicing relaxation techniques.
More chronic or severe cases of heartburn can result from a diagnosed condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and may require more intensive medical care such as using prescription (Rx) medicines or even surgery. For more information about safely treating your heartburn symptoms, check out this advice from one of our medical experts.
These medicines provide quick heartburn relief by neutralizing or weakening the stomach acid. They usually come as a liquid, chewy bites, or a tablet that you dissolve in water to drink. While antacids are quick and convenient, they don't prevent future episodes of heartburn.
Always read the Drug Facts label carefully. The label tells you everything you need to know about the medicine, including the ingredients, what you are supposed to use it for, how much you should take, and when you should not take the product.
Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
These medicines are named after the receptor they block, the H2 receptor, which reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes. Symptom relief from H2 blockers tends to last longer than antacids, but it also takes longer for them to start working. One H2 blocker tablet can be taken before a meal to prevent heartburn or after a meal to relieve heartburn. Typically, you should not take more than two tablets in a 24-hour period.
Always read the Drug Facts label carefully. The label tells you everything you need to know about the medicine, including the ingredients, what you are supposed to use it for, how much you should take, and when you should not take the product.
Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
These medicines are used to treat frequent heartburn (occurs two or more days a week) by blocking the production of stomach acid at its source. OTC PPIs should be taken once a day (in the morning before a meal) for 14 days, up to three times per year, unless directed by a doctor. They take one to four days to work.
Always read the Drug Facts label carefully. The label tells you everything you need to know about the medicine, including the ingredients, what you are supposed to use it for, how much you should take, and when you should not take the product.
Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
We’ve all been there. You know it’s diarrhea when your poop is loose and watery, resulting in you making several urgent trips to the bathroom in a short period of time. You may also experience cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, fever, and/or vomiting. In most cases, diarrhea lasts 2-3 days and can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. For mild cases, the most important thing you can do is to stay hydrated as the diarrhea runs its course and avoid foods that will make your symptoms worse.
For more serious cases, when diarrhea lasts more than three days, or a child has been experiencing symptoms for more than 24 hours, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider.
While most of the time minor bouts of diarrhea do not need to be treated, there are some OTC medicines that can help you find fast relief.
These medicines can help to slow or stop loose, watery poops. But you shouldn’t take them for very long. You should also see your doctor if you find that you rely on these medicines often. They may help you find temporary relief, but it’s important to find out what is causing your diarrhea in the first place.
Always read the Drug Facts label carefully. The label tells you everything you need to know about the medicine, including the ingredients, what you are supposed to use it for, how much you should take, and when you should not take the product.
You should never take more medicine or for a longer period of time than what the Drug Facts label says. You should drink plenty of clear fluids to help prevent dehydration caused by diarrhea.
Constipation, or occasional irregularity, is a fairly common condition that is defined as hard, dry poop that is difficult to pass. While normal bowel movements vary from person to person, you may be suffering from constipation if you have to strain excessively, pass less than three poops in a week, and have a “blocked” feeling in your rectal area.
There are many reasons why you may not be pooping regularly, including poor diet, dehydration, and lack of exercise. The root cause of constipation is when the muscle contractions in the colon become sluggish or the colon absorbs too much water, which makes the stool become hard and dry and move too slowly through the colon.
Laxatives, like all over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, contain certain active ingredients that make the products work in the human body. There are six basic types of OTC laxatives, listed below. Depending on the product type, laxatives can be taken orally or inserted into the rectum. Some laxatives may contain more than one active ingredient.
These medicines draw water into the colon, which helps you to poop. OTC saline laxatives that are taken orally generally produce a bowel movement within six to 12 hours. Those that are used rectally generally produce a bowel movement within two to 15 minutes.
These medicines coat the intestinal tract and soften the poop, which helps to lessen straining and promote a bowel movement. OTC lubricant laxatives that are taken orally, they generally produce a bowel movement within six to eight hours. Those that are used rectally generally produce a bowel movement within two to 15 minutes.
These medicines cause rhythmic muscle contractions in the intestines which promote bowel movement. OTC stimulant laxatives that are taken orally generally produce a bowel movement within 12 to 72 hours. Those that are used rectally generally produce a bowel movement within two to 15 minutes.
These medicines increase bulk volume and water content of the poop, which promotes a healthy bowel movement. These OTC products are for oral use and must be taken with plenty of fluid. Bulk-forming laxatives generally produce a bowel movement within 12 to 72 hours.
These medicines attract water into the poop, which promotes a healthy bowel movement. OTC hyperosmotic laxatives in suppository form are intended to be inserted into the rectum and generally produce a bowel movement within 15 minutes to one hour. If taken orally, they generally product a bowel movement in one to three days.
These medicines penetrate and moisten the poop, which prevents dryness and promotes a bowel movement. OTC stool softeners that are taken orally generally produce a bowel movement within 12 to 72 hours. Those that are used rectally generally produce a bowel movement within two to 15 minutes.
Always read the Drug Facts label carefully. The label tells you everything you need to know about the medicine, including the ingredients, what you are supposed to use it for, how much you should take, and when you should not take the product.
As you digest food, gas is a normal result of the process. But while it's an ordinary occurrence, it can be painful and embarrassing at times.
In addition to making changes to your diet and ensuring you chew food properly, there are also over-the-counter (OTC) medicines available to temporarily find relief.
These medicines work by changing the surface tension of gas bubbles in the stomach and intestines. They usually come in the form of a tablet, chewable tablet, capsule, or a liquid.
Always read the Drug Facts label carefully. The label tells you everything you need to know about the medicine, including the ingredients, what you are supposed to use it for, how much you should take, and when you should not take the product. You should never take more medicine or for a longer period of time than what the Drug Facts label says.
Homeopathic digestive health products are derived from plants, minerals, and animal substances that are known for their pharmacological or biological actions. For safety, read all instructions and warnings on the product label before taking any homeopathic product and follow all dosing instructions. Please be aware that products labeled as homeopathic and currently marketed in the U.S. have not been reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety and effectiveness to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent or mitigate any diseases or conditions.
OTC homeopathic digestive medicines include:
Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid active ingredient available in over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach. It can be found in heartburn medicines that contain other antacid active ingredients or in medicines that contain acid reducer active ingredients. It can also be found in medicines that treat other symptoms, such as headache, body aches, and body pains.
Simethicone is available in over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that help relieve pressure and bloating, commonly referred to as gas. Simethicone can be the only ingredient in anti-gas medicines or it can be found in medicines that treat symptoms such as heartburn or diarrhea.
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