Gastric Reflux (GERD)

[crhutch]

What OTC meds can you get in Spain for GERD?

 

[WalkingLester]

Alamax (aluminum and magnesium) and Omeprazole. Could be others

 

[trecile]

I take Pepcid (famotidine) occasionally for this. Google tells me that it's called Brolin in Spain.

 

[WalkingLester]

I take Pepcid (famotidine) occasionally for this. Google tells me that it's called Brolin in Spain.

View attachment 177742

Famotadina is by prescription only in Spain. Officially. I have had pharmacists give it to me anyway. If you try this you should say it’s your regular medicine you take at home. On the last couple of Caminos no one would give it to me, so I stopped asking for it.

 

[gordon1]

I take Pepcid (famotidine) occasionally for this. Google tells me that it's called Brolin in Spain.

View attachment 177742

May I suggest that you look very carefully at what you are eating.Cut out rich food,no coffee, bread cereal ok,,and see if you feel better after ,36 hours. Also half a Rennie tablet with non gasey water. Bit nothing better than a quick visit to a doc.

 

[WalkingLester]

Alcohol is another big Gerd offender. Sadly

 

[Dani7]

If you cannot speak Spanish, have your phone translate your question to the pharmacist in Spain. He/she will be able to help without a doubt.

 

[lt56ny]

What OTC meds can you get in Spain for GERD?

I was a pharmaceutical rep for another product for GERD. I worked many years in the industry and I know I may get pushback on how horrible pharmaceutical companies are and you know in most instances I don't disagree. But I lived in Gastroenterology offices for years and from my education and listening to some really excellent specialists I do know alot about this subject. If you do have simple GERD I would tell you that your best two bets are omeprazole and if you it is available Pepcid AC which is faster acting but not as efficacious or long lasting. I do not know if they sell Pepcid AC in Spain. It comes in a chewable tablet.
You should also answer for yourself the following questions.
Do I have GERD every day?
What time of day do I get GERD?
Are there foods that trigger my GERD?
If you are getting GERD each day then you should take it daily and when you return, if you haven't already you should see your Gastro. He will probably want to do an endoscopy to see if you have esophageal, or stomach, or intestinal damage that could lead to Barrett's esophagus erosive esophagitis or ulcers. He or she will also be able to determine if you have a relaxed esophageal sphincter which is a structural issue. If the sphincter is relaxed it will allow acid to move up into your esophagus. It is a very common cause of GERD.
The most effective way to help yourself would be to know when you usually get GERD. Morning may not be the most efficacious. Later in the day is better. If you are waking up with GERD you should take it about 20 minutes before you go to sleep at night. It is important to do this because nocturnal GERD can lead to erosions in your esophagus as the acid just sits in your esophagus when supine position. Try to sleep with your head and neck raised. It can also cause you to wake up many times in the night. Although it often is for just a second or two you will not even know it. It can interrupt your sleep and make you feel tired and lethargic when you wake up.
No your triggers and avoid those foods, it will help your GERD immeasurably.

 

[mattythedog]

Famotadina is by prescription only in Spain. Officially. I have had pharmacists give it to me anyway. If you try this you should say it’s your regular medicine you take at home. On the last couple of Caminos no one would give it to me, so I stopped asking for it.

Last couple Caminos they stopped giving me 600mg ibuprofen over the counter also. Now I get a prescription from my doc on letterhead paper with lots of stamps and official symbols. Works like a charm. FYI. You can get about 30 x 400 over the counter for 5 euro, but 40 x 600 for less than 2 euro. Go figure

 

[Luther]

I got a bad case of acid reflux, or possibly GERD, from taking ibuprofen every night. It started in the last week of the Frances. I tried to communicate antacids, or Rolaids without any luck but finally managed to find something similar in Melide at an odd little health store. It helped, but after a week of no ibuprofen I was back to normal and have never experienced it again. It was pretty awful though. A little after eating I would have to burp, but couldn't, followed by terrible heart-burn.

 

[mattythedog]

I never got it on camino, but reflux at home a few times. All my docs know about my ibuprofen regimen on camino. I always take it with food and lots of water. Pretty much never take it at home now unless prescribed. Endoscopy showed no issues, otherwise Gastro doc would have put me on lifetime omeprazole or similar. Only Pepcid recommended if I have reflux now.

Good luck

 

[MarkN]

I suspect that you may not have a mild case due to your asking, however if not or for others possible benefit, I found simple apple cider vinegar to work for my infrequent cases. It's relatively easy to find and pack a small amount with you.