The fastest way to relieve acid reflux is to take a liquid or chewable antacid, which can neutralize stomach acid within minutes. If you don’t have antacids on hand, a few positional and dietary changes can also ease symptoms quickly. Here’s what works, how fast each option kicks in, and what to skip.
Antacids Work Within Minutes
Over-the-counter antacids are the quickest option for stopping that burning sensation. They work by directly neutralizing the acid already sitting in your stomach and esophagus. Most people feel relief within 5 to 15 minutes of taking one. The trade-off is that relief typically lasts only 1 to 2 hours, so they’re best for short flare-ups rather than ongoing control.
Another category of acid-reducing medication, H2 blockers, takes about an hour to start working. They last longer than antacids (often 8 to 12 hours), but if you need relief right now, an antacid is the better first move. You can combine the two: take an antacid for immediate relief and an H2 blocker for longer coverage.
Alginate Products Add a Physical Barrier
Some antacid products contain alginates, a seaweed-derived ingredient that does something antacids alone can’t. When alginates mix with stomach acid, they form a gel-like raft that floats on top of your stomach contents. This raft acts as a physical barrier between the acid and your esophagus, keeping acid from splashing upward. One study found that alginates are more effective than standard antacids at treating reflux symptoms. Look for combination products that list “alginate” or “alginic acid” on the label if your reflux tends to flare when you bend over or lie down.
Baking Soda as a Backup
If you have no antacids at home, dissolving half a teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in a full glass of cold water can neutralize stomach acid quickly. It works on the same principle as commercial antacids. The Mayo Clinic lists a dose of half a teaspoon in water every two hours for adults and teenagers, with a maximum of five teaspoons per day. The taste is unpleasant, and it can cause bloating or gas.
This is strictly a short-term fix. Don’t use baking soda for reflux for more than two weeks. Overuse can disrupt your body’s acid-base balance, and the high sodium content is a concern for anyone watching their salt intake or managing blood pressure.
Change Your Position
If reflux hits while you’re lying down, how you reposition your body makes a real difference. Two changes help immediately:
- Sit or stand up. Gravity alone pulls acid back down into your stomach. If you’ve been lying flat or reclining, simply sitting upright can reduce the burning within a few minutes.
- Lie on your left side. If you need to stay in bed, rolling onto your left side positions your esophagus above your stomach, letting acid drain away from the valve between the two. Right-side sleeping does the opposite, making reflux worse.
For people who regularly get nighttime reflux, elevating the head of the bed by 6 to 8 inches (using a wedge pillow or bed risers, not just extra pillows) keeps acid in the stomach while you sleep. Stacking regular pillows tends to bend you at the waist, which can actually increase pressure on your stomach.
Stop the Triggers Mid-Flare
Certain foods and drinks actively relax the muscular valve at the top of your stomach, the one that’s supposed to keep acid from rising. If you’re in the middle of a flare, stop consuming anything on this list:
- Coffee and caffeinated drinks, including decaf coffee, which also relaxes that valve
- Chocolate, which contains a compound similar to caffeine that loosens the valve
- Peppermint, including peppermint tea, which has the same relaxing effect
- Garlic and onions, especially raw
- Alcohol and carbonated beverages
You don’t need to eliminate these foods forever, but avoiding them during a flare-up (and for a few hours before bed) removes the most common chemical triggers.
Chewing Gum After Meals
Chewing sugar-free gum for 30 minutes after eating can reduce reflux symptoms. It works by stimulating saliva production, and saliva naturally contains bicarbonate, the same base compound found in antacids. The extra saliva washes acid back down from the esophagus and partially neutralizes it. This won’t stop a severe episode, but it’s a useful habit for mild post-meal reflux when you don’t want to reach for medication. Avoid peppermint-flavored gum, since peppermint itself can worsen reflux.
Loosen Tight Clothing
This sounds minor, but tight waistbands, belts, and shapewear increase pressure on your abdomen and push stomach contents upward. If reflux hits after a meal, unbuttoning your pants or loosening your belt gives your stomach more room and reduces upward pressure on that valve. It’s one of the simplest things you can do in the moment.
What Doesn’t Work
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most commonly recommended home remedies for reflux online, but there is no published clinical evidence supporting its use for heartburn. Harvard Health Publishing reviewed the available data and found zero studies in medical journals testing it for this purpose. Since vinegar is an acid itself, drinking it during a flare risks further irritating an already inflamed esophagus.
Drinking milk is another popular suggestion. While milk may briefly coat the esophagus and feel soothing, the fat and protein in milk stimulate more acid production shortly after, often making reflux worse within 30 minutes.
When Reflux Needs More Than Quick Fixes
If you’re reaching for antacids more than twice a week, that pattern suggests your reflux has moved beyond occasional flare-ups. Frequent reflux can damage the lining of the esophagus over time. Symptoms that warrant a closer look include difficulty swallowing, pain when swallowing, unexplained weight loss, vomiting blood, or black or bloody stools. These are considered alarm symptoms that typically prompt further evaluation to rule out complications.