Can Multivitamins Worsen Acid Reflux

A man is experiencing acid reflux.

Image Credit: nebari/iStock/Getty Images Acid reflux – also known as gastroesophageal reflux, acid indigestion or heartburn – affects more than 60 million people in the United States, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. Although multivitamins aren’t a common trigger, they can aggravate the problem.

  Advertisement
 
Root Cause of Acid Reflux

When the valvelike muscle between your esophagus and your stomach becomes weak or relaxed, the contents of your stomach can rise back up into your esophagus and cause acid reflux. Recurrent acid reflux may be brought on by pregnancy, a hiatal hernia, obesity, smoking cigarettes or taking certain medications.

  Video of the Day
  
Potential Irritant

Anything that aggravates your esophagus or the muscle that separates it from your stomach can trigger acid reflux. Multivitamins that are coarse or awkwardly shaped may cause irritation as they go down, while large pills may cause irritation as they pass into your stomach. Smaller, smoother pills – or liquid vitamins – are often better tolerated.

  Advertisement
 
Bottom Line

Although sedatives, painkillers, antidepressants, antihistamines and certain asthma medications are known to aggravate acid reflux, multivitamins aren’t generally considered problematic. If you find that your acid reflux routinely worsens after taking multivitamins – even those that are easy to swallow – then they just may be poorly tolerated by your digestive system.

  Advertisement
 
  Advertisement
 
  Advertisement
  
  references
  
      American College of Gastroenterology: Acid Reflux
    
      Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Diet
    
      National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in Adults
    
      Oprah.com: Are My Vitamins Giving Me Heartburn?
     Is this an emergency?
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the
National Library of Medicine’s list
of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.





  references
  
      American College of Gastroenterology: Acid Reflux
    
      Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Diet
    
      National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in Adults
    
      Oprah.com: Are My Vitamins Giving Me Heartburn?

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

A man is experiencing acid reflux.

Image Credit: nebari/iStock/Getty Images

Image Credit: nebari/iStock/Getty Images

      American College of Gastroenterology: Acid Reflux
    
      Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Diet
    
      National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in Adults
    
      Oprah.com: Are My Vitamins Giving Me Heartburn?