Gastrointestinal Medications

Antacids
Aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide (Mylanta, Maalox)
Calcium carbonate (Tums, Rolaids, Chooz)
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
Sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer)

Antacids contain basic salts (ions), which interact with and neutralize
the acid in your stomach on contact. Some antacids also contain
simethicone, which helps relieve symptoms of gassy stomach. Antacids
are effective when used to treat occasional symptoms, but you should
try to avoid heartburn and acid indigestion altogether by eating
smaller meals, remaining upright after eating, and cutting down on
caffeine.

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Omeprazole (Prilosec)
Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
Rabeprazole (Aciphex)
Esomeprazole (Nexium)
Pantoprozole (Protonix)

These medications are used to treat people with heartburn, stomach

or intestinal ulcers, or excess stomach acid. Proton pump inhibitors
reduce acid by shutting down the tiny pumps within cells in your
stomach that secrete it. Evidence also suggests that PPIs may
inhibit Helicobacter pylori, a type of bacteria that can cause peptic
ulcers, gastritis, and other gastrointestinal problems. Most PPIs come
as over-the-counter or prescription tablets, but pantoprazole
(Protonix) may also be given intravenously at the hospital for people
who are admitted with a bleeding ulcer. Taking a PPI reduces the
chance that an ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding will occur again.

Histamine2 Blockers
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Ranitidine hydrochloride (Zantac)
Famotidine (Pepcid)
Nizatidine (Axid)

H2 blockers work to reduce the amount of acid that your stomach

produces by blocking histamine2, a chemical in your body that signals
the parietal cells of your stomach lining to make acid. In doing this, H2
blockers reduce the amount of acid made by your stomach. Different
H2 blockers vary in potency. Over-the-counter forms are less potent,
while prescription doses can be more potent.

Promotility Agents
Metoclopramide (Reglan)

Promotility agents help speed digestion by stimulating the movement

of GI contents through your esophagus, stomach, and intestines. This
helps to prevent acid from lingering in your stomach too long, thus
reducing the amount of damage that acid can inflict on your GI tract
and decreasing the occurrence of the acid reflux. Metoclopramide is
the main promotility agent currently on the market. It works by
increasing muscle contractions in the upper digestive tract, which in
turn speeds the rate with which stomach contents move into the
intestines.