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What Causes Severe Acid Reflux And Severe GERD While On Hydrochlorothiazide?
Question: Hydrochlorothiazide and severe gerd? I started getting severe acid reflux after I started this med a year ago. XXXXXXX meds do not help.
Brief Answer:
I suggest you talk with your doctor about an alternative medication.
Detailed Answer:
If you have been having GERD symptoms this long, and the onset of the GERD correlates with starting hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), then it is unlikely to go away as long as you continue this medication.
Looking at the data on HCTZ, I see it can cause symptoms of gastritis. This is not a frequent side effect but can happen.
Sometimes side effects that happen when a medication is started will go away in a few weeks. Given that you have had GERD symptoms for a year, if it is from HCTZ it is unlikely to go away.
I would suggest you talk with your doctor about this and consider switching to another class of medication for - I am assuming - control of mildly elevated blood pressure? There are many choices available.
Another thing to consider: If for a particular reason, you really need HCTZ, consider getting another brand or another formulation of it. Sometimes the other things that are in a capsule or pill can be what is irritating. For example, I have a patient who cannot handle any generic Ceterizine but can handle the brand name version of it, Zyrtec, because with the brand name she can peel off the outer lining of it. Some people need to crush tablets and dissolve them in water or milk. You may want to experiment with a change of brand or how you take it before switching to another medication class altogether. If it is a time-release formulation, ask the pharmacist where you get it filled if it is ok to crush it first.
If you have GERD or gastritis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach), it may take a few weeks until you start to feel better regardless of the changes you make with this drug.
Regarding getting GERD to heal, new research is causing doctors to discourage proton pump inhibitor meds because these can have a rebound effect when you discontinue them. Better to start with an H2 Blocker such as Zantac 150 mg taken twice a day. Again, it will take a few weeks, at least 2, to start healing.
But I wouldn't do just the Zantac without making the changes suggested above or the problem will continue and you'll just be chasing after it with GERD meds.
I suggest you talk with your doctor about an alternative medication.
Detailed Answer:
If you have been having GERD symptoms this long, and the onset of the GERD correlates with starting hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), then it is unlikely to go away as long as you continue this medication.
Looking at the data on HCTZ, I see it can cause symptoms of gastritis. This is not a frequent side effect but can happen.
Sometimes side effects that happen when a medication is started will go away in a few weeks. Given that you have had GERD symptoms for a year, if it is from HCTZ it is unlikely to go away.
I would suggest you talk with your doctor about this and consider switching to another class of medication for - I am assuming - control of mildly elevated blood pressure? There are many choices available.
Another thing to consider: If for a particular reason, you really need HCTZ, consider getting another brand or another formulation of it. Sometimes the other things that are in a capsule or pill can be what is irritating. For example, I have a patient who cannot handle any generic Ceterizine but can handle the brand name version of it, Zyrtec, because with the brand name she can peel off the outer lining of it. Some people need to crush tablets and dissolve them in water or milk. You may want to experiment with a change of brand or how you take it before switching to another medication class altogether. If it is a time-release formulation, ask the pharmacist where you get it filled if it is ok to crush it first.
If you have GERD or gastritis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach), it may take a few weeks until you start to feel better regardless of the changes you make with this drug.
Regarding getting GERD to heal, new research is causing doctors to discourage proton pump inhibitor meds because these can have a rebound effect when you discontinue them. Better to start with an H2 Blocker such as Zantac 150 mg taken twice a day. Again, it will take a few weeks, at least 2, to start healing.
But I wouldn't do just the Zantac without making the changes suggested above or the problem will continue and you'll just be chasing after it with GERD meds.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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