People who are battling uncomfortable acid reflux symptoms with medication have been urged to be cautious about one major mistake – so here’s all you need to know
Acid reflux is a very common condition. But while some are able to reverse symptoms like heartburn by making lifestyle changes, others are advised to try medication.
If you fall under the latter category, it’s vital you follow the instructions of health professionals when taking meds. This includes guidelines about dosage and the time of day to treat yourself.
Failing to do so could lead to unwanted consequences – as a pharmacist called Anum pointed out recently. In an informative video posted to social media, she said: “Taking your reflux medication at the wrong time could be making it less effective.
“If you, or somebody you know, takes proton pump inhibitors to help with things like reflux, such as omeprazole, lansoprazole or pantoprazole, timing is key.
“Now, before I tell you the best time to take them, we need to understand how these medications work. They work by blocking the acid pumps in your stomach.
“These acid pumps are most active when you are eating. As a result, if you take your medication after food or at random times, it won’t work as effectively.
“The best time to take the medication is 30 to 60 minutes before food. I usually like to recommend before breakfast if you’re only taking it once a day.
“If you’re taking it twice a day, take it 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast and 30 to 60 minutes before dinner. I hope you find this helpful.”
Timing plays an important role in acid reflux treatment, so don’t make a mistake of taking medication at random intervals of the day.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole should be taken 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast, while antacids work best around an hour after meals or at bedtime.
Additionally, you should avoid taking other medicines within two to four hours of taking antacids. So it’s best to talk to your doctor if you are planning to take action.
For more information, you can also visit the NHS website. And remember, seeing a professional is key for long-term help with acid reflux or heartburn.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.dailyrecord.co.uk
