Can Multivitamins Cause or Worsen Heartburn?

You try to do the right thing to round out your nutrition by taking a multivitamin every day. Then, ugh: Your acid reflux symptoms emerge again. So, you might wonder whether multivitamins worsen acid reflux — or is something else triggering those symptoms altogether?

As it turns out, your multivitamin may indeed make acid reflux worse, but so can other types of supplements, says Carl V. Crawford, MD, a medical expert for Drugwatch and an assistant professor of medicine and attending physician at the New YorkPresbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center in the division of gastroenterology and hepatology in New York City.

But why exactly does that happen, and is there anything you can do about it? Answers to these questions and more below.

A Refresher on Acid Reflux

Although many people experience heartburn at some point in their lives, you might be at risk of GERD if you’re having acid reflux symptoms multiple times a week, Dr. Crawford explains. So, it’s important to know whether any of your lifestyle habits are contributing to the development of heartburn.

Can Multivitamins Cause Acid Reflux?

While multivitamins do not cause acid reflux, they can irritate your symptoms if you're already prone to heartburn, Crawford says. That's because there are certain components of multivitamins, such as iron and potassium, that are known to trigger acid reflux symptoms, he adds.

• Antibiotics
• Iron or potassium supplements
• Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil)
• Bisphosphonates, which help improve bone density and strength
• Anticholinergics, which help treat overactive bladder and irritable bowel syndrome
• Narcotics, such as codeine
• Sedatives and tranquilizers
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Calcium channel blockers and statins, which commonly help treat heart disease and high blood pressure

If you’re noticing more episodes of heartburn, check your medicine cabinet to see whether you’re taking any of the above medications.

If the symptoms start to feel really bothersome, talk to your healthcare provider to get tested or ask about alternative medications that might have fewer heartburn-related side effects.

What to Do if Your Multivitamin Causes Heartburn

Having heartburn can be a literal pain. The good news is there are a variety of things you can do to reduce the symptoms. Consider the following options.

1. Assess Your Need for Multivitamins

Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you really need a multivitamin.

Ideally, it’s important to get your nutrients from a well-balanced diet, Crawford says. However, certain underlying health conditions can make it difficult to get the nutrients you need from food, which is why people may need to take vitamins as a supplement.

Your best bet is to check in with your provider, as they can give you individualized advice on how to move forward.

2. Try a Liquid or Chewable Form

If you and your healthcare provider determine you would benefit from taking a multivitamin, it might be worthwhile to try other forms of vitamins.

For instance, taking a liquid or chewable multivitamin may be gentler to your digestive system, which could reduce heartburn symptoms, Crawford explains.

3. Talk to Your Provider About Symptoms

Noticing more and more heartburn episodes? Now is a good time to talk to your healthcare provider to check in about your symptoms.

Crawford recommends discussing your symptoms if your heartburn continues for more than two weeks or if you develop new symptoms.

Your healthcare team can get you tested for other conditions to rule out other potential causes of your symptoms and recommend personalized treatment options, if needed.

The Takeaway

• Heartburn occurs when acid from your stomach flows backward into your esophagus. This can cause a burning pain in your chest and a sour taste in your mouth.
• Certain components in multivitamins, like potassium and iron, can trigger acid reflux symptoms.
• Other medications, like antibiotics and pain relievers, may also increase your risk of heartburn symptoms.
• If you’re taking a multivitamin and experiencing heartburn, discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider. Ask about taking alternative vitamin forms or additional treatment options.