For occasional indigestion, antacids like Tums or Maalox are the fastest option, neutralizing stomach acid within minutes. If your symptoms are more persistent, acid-reducing medications that last several hours are available over the counter as well. The best choice depends on how often you get indigestion, how severe it is, and what’s triggering it.
Antacids: Fastest Relief
Antacids work by directly neutralizing the acid already in your stomach and esophagus. They’re best for mild, occasional symptoms, and most people feel relief within minutes of taking them. The trade-off is that they wear off relatively quickly, typically within one to three hours.
Several types are available, each with slight differences:
- Calcium-based (Tums, Rolaids) are the most widely used. They work quickly and double as a calcium supplement, though taking too many can cause constipation.
- Magnesium-based (Maalox, Mylanta) are also fast-acting but can have a mild laxative effect in some people.
- Aluminum-based (Amphojel) provide similar relief but tend to cause constipation rather than loosening stools.
- Combination products (Gaviscon) contain both aluminum and magnesium and form a foam-like barrier that floats on top of your stomach contents, physically blocking acid from splashing upward.
If you only get indigestion a few times a month after a heavy meal, an antacid is probably all you need. But if you’re reaching for them daily, that’s a sign you need a longer-acting option.
H2 Blockers: Longer-Lasting Control
H2 blockers reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces in the first place, rather than neutralizing what’s already there. The most common OTC option is famotidine (Pepcid). It takes about an hour to kick in, but the effects last four to ten hours, making it a much better fit for people whose indigestion lingers or comes back repeatedly throughout the day.
Many people take an H2 blocker before a meal they know will cause trouble, like a spicy dinner or a late-night pizza. You can also pair a fast-acting antacid with an H2 blocker: the antacid handles the immediate discomfort while the H2 blocker takes over once it kicks in.
Proton Pump Inhibitors: For Frequent Symptoms
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole (Prilosec) and esomeprazole (Nexium) are the strongest OTC acid reducers. They shut down acid production more completely than H2 blockers and are designed for people dealing with heartburn or indigestion two or more days per week.
PPIs aren’t meant for quick relief. They take one to four days to reach full effect and are intended to be used as a short course, typically four to eight weeks. Using them beyond that window without medical guidance isn’t recommended, because long-term acid suppression can affect nutrient absorption and has been linked to other concerns. If your symptoms persist after a two-week course, it’s worth talking to a provider rather than continuing on your own.
Baking Soda: A Simple Home Option
Plain baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a legitimate, if old-fashioned, antacid. Half a teaspoon dissolved in a glass of water can neutralize stomach acid and ease mild indigestion. It’s the same active ingredient found in Alka-Seltzer, though commercial antacids tend to be more potent overall.
The major caveat is sodium. A single dose contains a significant amount of it, so baking soda is not a good choice if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, or are on a sodium-restricted diet. It also shouldn’t be used frequently or in large amounts. The Mayo Clinic notes the maximum for adults is about five teaspoons of the effervescent powder per day, but most people should stay well below that.
Ginger and Peppermint
Ginger has genuine evidence behind it for upper digestive discomfort. It appears to speed up gastric emptying, meaning food moves out of your stomach faster instead of sitting there causing that heavy, bloated feeling. Most studies on nausea and digestive symptoms have used one to two grams of ginger daily (roughly half a teaspoon of powdered ginger, or a thumb-sized piece of fresh root). Ginger tea, ginger capsules, and even ginger chews are all reasonable ways to get it. Doses up to six grams per day are generally considered safe, though most people won’t need that much.
Peppermint is trickier. While peppermint tea is a traditional remedy, peppermint oil can actually worsen indigestion in some people. It relaxes the muscle between your stomach and esophagus, which can allow acid to flow upward and cause heartburn. If your indigestion involves a burning sensation in your chest or throat, peppermint may make things worse. Enteric-coated peppermint capsules are designed to bypass the stomach and dissolve in the intestines instead, which reduces this risk, but they’re better suited for intestinal cramping than for typical indigestion.
Foods and Habits That Make It Worse
What you eat matters as much as what you take. The most common dietary triggers include fatty and fried foods (which sit in your stomach longer, giving acid more opportunity to cause problems), spicy foods, citrus, tomato-based sauces, chocolate, caffeine, carbonated drinks, onions, and alcohol. You don’t necessarily need to eliminate all of these permanently, but paying attention to which ones consistently bother you is worth the effort.
How and when you eat also plays a role. Large meals stretch the stomach and put pressure on the valve that keeps acid contained. Eating smaller portions, finishing dinner at least two to three hours before lying down, and avoiding tight-fitting clothing around your midsection after meals can all reduce symptoms without any medication at all. If nighttime indigestion is your main issue, elevating the head of your bed by a few inches (using a wedge or bed risers, not just extra pillows) helps gravity keep acid where it belongs.
Signs You Need More Than Self-Treatment
Occasional indigestion after a big meal is normal. But certain symptoms signal something beyond routine acid irritation. Difficulty swallowing, blood in your stool, persistent nausea and vomiting, or unexplained weight loss are all red flags that warrant a medical evaluation. You should also get checked out if antacids stop helping, if you’re relying on them almost every day, or if a treatment that used to work has lost its effectiveness. These patterns can point to conditions like ulcers, infections, or motility problems that need targeted treatment rather than ongoing acid suppression.