If you were experiencing acid reflux prior to undergoing chemotherapy treatment, these potential causes could be why. Though avoiding all side effects of chemotherapy is not possible, acid reflux is one that you can work to manage. It tends to increase acid production from the stomach. © 1998-2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER).

Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. This may be a side effect of dexamethasone that is used as an anti-nausea drug.

All rights reserved. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Special considerations should be heeded for people undergoing chemotherapy who may take these medications. I didn't know you could do that, but it worked really well. Hiring an attorney is an important decision which should not be based solely on advertising.

Taking digestive enzymes as well as increasing stomach acid with betaine hydrochloric acid (HCL) It is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a diagnosis of any health or fitness problem, condition or disease; or a recommendation for a specific test, doctor, care provider, procedure, treatment plan, product, or course of action. Acid reflux is one and may present with indigestion and heartburn. I can't eat. It is commonly thought that acid reflux, in general, is caused by an abundance of stomach acid, but that is not always the case. Foods can be either acid forming, … These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Specific chemotherapy drugs need to have an acidic environment in which to work, so the timing of an H2 blocker or a proton pump inhibitor is crucial to avoid a negative drug interaction.The Roswell Park Cancer Center does recommend multiple dietary and behavioral changes on your part to reduce the symptoms of GERD.
The medications used in this form of cancer treatment are Acid reflux—when stomach acid or bile flows up from the stomach into the esophagus, resulting in irritation—is a common digestive condition in general, but your risk of it goes up if you are receiving or have completed chemotherapy.

In the meantime, do what you can to maintain your calorie intake and meet your body's protein, vitamin and mineral needs. Zantac has been frequently prescribed to patients who are undergoing chemotherapy to control the symptoms of gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD).

Most people get heartburn after meals, but can also awaken people while they are sleeping. It is often one of the side effects of the chemotherapy drugs. Always talk to your doctor about all of the medications you're taking during chemotherapy and discuss any new medications before starting them. Avoid tightfitting clothing, which puts pressure on your abdomen and the lower esophageal sphincter.

Some side effects of chemotherapy only happen while you're having treatment and disappear quickly after it's over. Side effects and their severity vary from person to person and depend on the type and dose of chemotherapy. What can heartburn be a sign or symptom of? Never disregard the medical advice of your physician or health professional, or delay in seeking such advice, because of something you read on this Site. Why Chemotherapy Increases Acid Reflux .
What Can be Taken for Heartburn during Chemotherapy?Zantac has been frequently prescribed to patients who are undergoing chemotherapy to control the symptoms of gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). PPIs and H2 blockers should only be used for a short period of time in healthy individuals, and presumably also in people undergoing chemo unless otherwise directed by a physician.