Suffering from heartburn or bloating? Over-the-counter (OTC) antacids can provide fast relief. However, it’s important to select the right product based on your specific symptoms to achieve the most benefit. This article will describe some of the best antacids for relief from gas pain.

What Are Antacids?

Antacids raise the pH in the stomach, bringing it closer to neutral (pH 7), providing quick relief from symptoms such as:

Acid reflux
Heartburn
Indigestion
Upset stomach

They commonly contain ingredients such as calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, and sodium bicarbonate.

Best Over-the-Counter Antacids

Mylanta — contains simethicone for gas relief
Tums — contains calcium carbonate for quick relief of heartburn
Rolaids — contains calcium carbonate + magnesium hydroxide for acid reflux
Milk of Magnesia — contains a mixture of magnesium hydroxide, which is also a mild laxative

Choosing the Right Antacid

For gas: Mylanta or Tums with simethicone
For heartburn or indigestion: Tums, Rolaids
For constipation concerns: Avoid high-magnesium products
For frequent symptoms: See your healthcare provider, who may prescribe other acid-reducing medications, such as an H2 blocker or proton pump inhibitor

How To Reduce Gas Pain

When excessive gas bubbles get trapped in the digestive tract, it can cause symptoms such as pain, pressure, fullness, bloating, and abdominal discomfort.

Antacids alone do not help with trapped gas, but they do provide relief from symptoms such as heartburn and indigestion.

The most effective option for gas pain is actually not an antacid at all. Simethicone (Gas-X) is often voted as the best medicine for gas by both customers and pharmacists.

For maximum relief, however, products containing a combination of antacids and anti-gas ingredients are the top choice as they provide relief from heartburn, as well as gas and bloating. Examples include:

Rolaids Advanced Antacid Plus Anti-Gas Softchews (calcium carbonate 1330 mg, magnesium hydroxide 235 mg, simethicone 40 mg)
Tums Chewy Bites with Gas Relief (calcium carbonate 750 mg, simethicone 80 mg)
Alka-Seltzer Heartburn + Gas Relief Chews (calcium carbonate 750 mg, simethicone 80 mg)
Mylanta Maximum Strength Liquid Antacid + Anti-Gas (aluminum hydroxide 800 mg, magnesium hydroxide 800 mg, simethicone 80 mg)
Gas-X Total Relief Chews (calcium carbonate 750 mg, simethicone 250 mg)

Other medications available by prescription include H2 blockers, such as famotidine (Pepcid), and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), including omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), pantoprazole (Protonix), and rabeprazole (Aciphex).

Simethicone: The Top Choice for Gas

If you have severe gas, you may want to try Gas-X products such as:

Extra Strength Chewables and Softgels (simethicone 125 mg)
Ultra Strength Softgels (simethicone 180 mg)
Maximum Strength Softgels (simethicone 250 mg)

Simethicone helps break down gas bubbles, making them easier to pass. Products that contain simethicone as the active ingredient include:

Note: There are no peer-reviewed studies comparing various products on the market.

Other Over-the-Counter Options

Alpha Galactosidase: Alpha-galactosidase is a natural enzyme that breaks down complex carbohydrates, making them easier to digest, reducing gas production. One example is Beano tablets.
Lactase: Lactaid contains a digestive enzyme called lactase that helps in the digestion of dairy products. It helps prevent bloating and gas in people with lactose intolerance.
Antacids + Simethicone: Combined antacids (calcium carbonate) and simethicone are in products such as Tums Chewy Bites with Gas Relief.
Osmotic Laxatives: Osmotic laxatives such as MiraLax contain the active ingredient polyethylene glycol 3350. This substance helps to relieve constipation-associated gas and bloating.
Anti-Diarrheals: Anti-diarrhea agents like Kaopectate and Pepto-Bismol contain the active ingredient bismuth subsalicylate. It helps to relieve heartburn, indigestion, and gas.
Activated Charcoal: Activated charcoal supplements, such as CharcoCaps and Actidose-Aqua, work by trapping gas bubbles. They may be available with other ingredients, such as simethicone.
Prokinetic Agents: Prokinetic agents, such as Propulsid (cisapride) and Reglan (metoclopramide), are medications that enhance intestinal muscular contractions. They facilitate the transit of food and waste materials through the digestive tract.

How to Choose the Best OTC for Gas?

The best OTC for gas depends on your main symptom.

For example, if you have gas, bloating, and nausea from lactose intolerance, a product containing lactase enzyme (Lactaid, Colief) is likely to work best.

On the other hand, if you have a sour stomach and gas from overeating, combination products for gas and heartburn relief may be the best choice.

Always take OTC medications at the recommended dosage on the package. Ensure you don’t give medication meant for adults to a child.

When To See a Doctor for Gas Symptoms

If OTC anti-gas products do not provide relief, or if you have severe or frequent gas and other gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, or abdominal pain, make an appointment to see your doctor.

Your symptoms may result from a condition such as lactose intolerance, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or celiac disease. Treatment for the underlying condition will help relieve gas symptoms.

FAQ on the Best Antacid Drugs Over-The-Counter

Will Tums Help with Gas?

Standard Tums (calcium carbonate) help with acid, but are not very effective in providing gas relief. However, Tums with simethicone, such as Tums Chewy Bites with Gas Relief, can relieve gas and bloating.

Does Pepcid Provide Gas Relief?

Pepcid does not provide gas relief. The generic medication famotidine (brand name Pepcid AC) is an H2 blocker that provides fast relief from heartburn within 15 to 30 minutes.

What Foods Have Antacids?

Several foods are natural antacids and can help neutralize stomach acid and alleviate heartburn, such as:

Cauliflower
Bananas
Melons
Fennel
Nuts

Foods with high water content can dilute the acid in the stomach, for example, watermelon and cucumber. Additionally, foods like low-fat yogurt and ginger have soothing and acid-neutralizing properties.

Are Antacids Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes, antacids are generally safe during pregnancy. But you should check with your healthcare professional before taking any medications while pregnant.

What Antacid Is Safe For Kids?

Do not give over-the-counter antacids to children under the age of 6 years without a doctor’s advice.

Is Baking Soda An Antacid?

Yes, baking soda is used as an antacid to relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach.

Is Omeprazole An Antacid?

No, omeprazole is not an antacid, but a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), which decreases the production of stomach acid.

Is Gaviscon An Antacid?

Yes, Gaviscon is an antacid. It contains aluminum hydroxide and magnesium carbonate, which ease acid indigestion, heartburn, sour stomach, and stomach upset.

Can Tums Cause Constipation?

Yes, Tums can cause constipation, especially at high doses.