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What are my options if these treatments don't work?

If you continue to have heartburn, your health care provider may recommend adding a drug such as metoclopramide (Reglan). This drug empties food and acid quickly from the stomach so less can back up into the esophagus. Reglan also helps tighten the lower esophageal sphincter.

If you still have symptoms, your health care provider will then recommend one of the drugs called proton pump inhibitors. Examples of these drugs are omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), esomeprazole (Nexium), rabeprazole (Aciphex), and pantoprazole (Protonix). These tablets prevent the stomach from secreting acid. They are very effective and are typically taken only once a day. These drugs usually are prescribed if other drugs have not helped. They may have to be used indefinitely.