Several options can relieve heartburn quickly, from over-the-counter medications that work within minutes to simple habit changes that prevent it from starting. The best approach depends on whether you need fast relief right now or a longer-term strategy to keep heartburn from coming back.
Fast-Acting Options at the Store
Over-the-counter heartburn treatments fall into three categories, and they work differently enough that choosing the right one matters.
Antacids (like Tums or Rolaids) neutralize stomach acid that’s already there. They work within minutes and are the fastest option for occasional heartburn. The trade-off is that relief typically lasts only an hour or two.
H2 blockers (like famotidine, sold as Pepcid) reduce acid production by blocking one of the signals that tells your stomach to make acid. They kick in relatively quickly and can be taken as needed, making them a good middle ground between antacids and stronger options.
Proton pump inhibitors (like omeprazole, sold as Prilosec) are the most powerful acid suppressors available without a prescription. They permanently shut down the tiny pumps in your stomach lining that produce acid. But they’re designed for daily use over 4 to 8 weeks, not for popping one pill when heartburn strikes. You take them 30 to 60 minutes before your first meal of the day, and they need consistent daily dosing to fully work. An as-needed strategy won’t reliably control symptoms.
Alginate Products: A Physical Barrier
Alginates (sold as Gaviscon in some formulations) take a completely different approach. When they mix with your stomach acid, they form a gel-like raft that floats on top of your stomach contents, physically blocking acid from splashing up into your esophagus. One study found alginates more effective than standard antacids for reflux relief. They’re a particularly good option if you get heartburn soon after eating or when lying down.
Baking Soda in a Pinch
If you have nothing else on hand, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a legitimate antacid. Mix half a teaspoon into a full glass of cold water. You can repeat this every two hours, but don’t exceed five teaspoons in a single day. This is strictly a short-term fix. Used frequently or in large amounts, baking soda can cause electrolyte imbalances, especially if you have kidney problems.
Foods and Drinks That Make It Worse
Your lower esophageal sphincter is a ring of muscle between your esophagus and stomach that’s supposed to stay closed after you swallow. Certain foods relax that muscle, letting acid escape upward.
The biggest offenders: coffee and other caffeinated drinks, alcohol, chocolate, and mint. Coffee and tea also directly stimulate acid production, so they hit you from both directions. High-fat and fried foods slow digestion and increase pressure on that sphincter. If heartburn is a regular problem, cutting back on these foods often makes a noticeable difference before you ever take a pill.
Habit Changes That Actually Help
Chewing sugar-free gum for 30 minutes after a meal is one of the simplest and most underrated heartburn strategies. It increases saliva production and swallowing frequency, which helps wash acid back down out of your esophagus. The effect isn’t about emptying your stomach faster; it’s about clearing the acid that’s already refluxed.
Eating smaller meals matters, too. A full stomach puts more pressure on the sphincter. Finishing dinner at least two to three hours before lying down gives your stomach time to empty, so there’s less acid available to reflux when you’re horizontal.
Sleeping Position Makes a Real Difference
If heartburn bothers you at night, sleep on your left side. The anatomy is straightforward: in that position, your stomach sits below your esophagus, so gravity works in your favor and acid is less likely to travel upward. Right-side sleeping does the opposite, positioning the stomach above the esophageal opening. Elevating the head of your bed by about 6 inches (using a wedge pillow or blocks under the bed frame, not just extra pillows) adds another layer of gravity-assisted protection.
Weight Loss and Long-Term Improvement
Carrying extra weight around your midsection increases abdominal pressure and pushes stomach contents toward the esophagus. The data here is encouraging: a weight loss of 5 to 10 percent in women led to significant reductions in overall reflux symptom scores. For men, the threshold was closer to 10 percent or more. A large population-based study found that losing enough weight to lower BMI by about 3.5 points reduced the risk of frequent reflux symptoms by nearly 40 percent. You don’t need to reach an ideal weight to see benefits. Even moderate loss helps.
Heartburn During Pregnancy
Heartburn is extremely common in pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters, as the growing uterus pushes stomach contents upward. Calcium-based antacids (like Tums) are the usual first step and are considered safe. If those aren’t enough, famotidine (Pepcid) can be added. In some cases, a doctor may recommend a proton pump inhibitor. The general approach is to start with the mildest option and step up only if needed.
When Heartburn Signals Something More Serious
Occasional heartburn after a big meal is normal. But certain symptoms alongside heartburn suggest damage that needs evaluation. The American College of Gastroenterology flags these as warning signs: difficulty swallowing or a sensation of food getting stuck behind your chest, vomiting blood (which can look like red clots or dark coffee grounds), black or tarry stools, choking sensations with coughing or hoarseness, and unexplained weight loss with an inability to tolerate food. Heartburn that doesn’t improve with medication also warrants a closer look, as it may point to a different diagnosis or structural changes in the esophagus.
A Note on Long-Term PPI Use
If you’ve been taking a proton pump inhibitor for months or years, you may have seen headlines about cancer risk. A 2025 study across five Nordic countries found that long-term PPI use was not associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer. That said, prolonged use has been linked to other concerns, including a higher risk of certain gut infections, reduced bone density, and problems absorbing specific vitamins and minerals. The takeaway isn’t to stop taking PPIs if you need them, but to periodically reassess whether you still do.