To stop burping, medications like simethicone or antacids may be indicated to help relieve excess gas and neutralize stomach acid.
These medications are generally rapid-acting and can help relieve abdominal pain, discomfort, and bloating. Home remedies for burping can also be used to help relieve gas with fewer side effects. These include boldo tea and chamomile tea.
Burping is typically the result of swallowing air while you are talking, eating, or drinking, however it can also be caused by certain health problems like gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or an H. pylori infection.
It is important to talk to your primary care provider or a gastroenterologist if you are experiencing constant burping or burping that is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or heartburn.
Home remedies
Home remedies to help stop burping include:
1. Boldo tea
Boldo tea is a great natural option to assist with digestion and help reduce stomach gases after a heavy meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp boldo leaves;
- 1 cup boiling water.
Directions
Place the boldo leaves in a mug. Add boiling water and let steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Cover and let cool slightly, then strain and drink. This tea can be consumed three times a day or whenever symptoms of indigestion arise, such as frequent burping or a feeling of fullness in your stomach.
Boldo tea should not be given to children or babies, and is contraindicated in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. People with acute hepatitis, gallstones, inflammation of the bile duct (cholangitis), pancreatitis, liver cancer, or bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) should not drink boldo tea.
2. Marjoram tea
Marjoram tea contains calming properties that help manage gastric spasms and stomach problems like burping.
Ingredients
- 15 g marjoram;
- 750 mL (24 oz) of water.
Directions
Bring the water to a boil and then add the marjoram, letting it steep for 10 minutes. Strain and drink (up to 4 cups a day for 3 days).
Marjoram tea should not be consumed during pregnancy or by girls up to 12 years of age. This is because marjoram can alter hormone levels that can affect fetal development as well as puberty.
3. Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea is a great home remedy to stop burping due to its calming properties that help improve digestion and relieve abdominal distention and burping.
Ingredients
- 10 g chamomile leaves (Matricaria recutita);
- 500 mL (16 oz) of water.
Directions
Boil the water and chamomile leaves in a pot for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly before straining. Drink 4 cups a day until burping resolves.
Chamomile tea should not be consumed by people with an allergy to chamomile or to other plants in the same family, such as daisies, ambrosia (ragweed), and chrysanthemums. It should not be given to babies under 6 months of age.
People taking anticoagulants, sedatives, analgesics, or other medications should talk to their doctor or healthcare provider before drinking chamomile tea, as this plant has the potential to alter the effects of certain medications.
4. Papaya seed tea
Papaya seed tea contains papain and pepsin, enzymes that help improve digestive system functioning to combat ulcers, indigestion, and burping.
Ingredients
- 10 g papaya seeds;
- 500 mL (16 oz) of water.
Directions
Combine papaya seeds and water in a pan and bring to a boil, letting simmer for 5 minutes, then strain. Drink 1 cup after meals.
Papaya seed tea should not be consumed during pregnancy, as it may lead to uterine contractions that can cause miscarriage. It should also be avoided by people taking anticoagulants, due to the increased risk for hemorrhage.
Pharmaceutical medications
The following medications may be indicated by a doctor or other healthcare provider for the treatment of conditions that can lead to excess gas and constant burping:
1. Simethicone
Simethicone is a medication that helps relieve gas by causing gas bubbles to accumulate and pass more easily through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, helping alleviate discomfort, pain, and pressure caused by excess gas.
This medication should not be used by anyone with an allergy to any of its components, or in cases of bowel obstruction or perforation. It should only be used during pregnancy and lactation if recommended by a doctor.
Dosing instructions: simethicone is an oral medication (taken by mouth). The normal starting dose for adults is 80–125 mg, taken 3 to 4 times a day or every 6 to 8 hours, not to exceed a maximum dose of 500 mg per day.
2. Antacids
Antacids help manage symptoms of indigestion, such as burping, by neutralizing stomach acid and inhibiting pepsin. They are typically taken after meals for relief of occasional heartburn and indigestion.
Antacids are available over the counter, meaning they do not require a prescription. Antacids come in various formulations, with active ingredients like magnesium, calcium, and aluminum. Some examples are Tums and Rolaids.
Antacids are contraindicated in people with heart failure, end-stage renal (kidney) disease, kidney stones, cirrhosis, and GI bleeding. People who are pregnant should avoid excessive use of antacids containing calcium.
Dosing instructions: Dosing will vary based on the formulation. It is important to take this medication only as directed on the package. People with liver or kidney disease should talk to their healthcare provider before taking antacids, as the dose may have to be adjusted.
3. H2 blockers
H2 blockers, such as famotidine (Pepcid) and cimetidine (Tagamet), are indicated for people with uncomplicated GERD and mild to infrequent heartburn and indigestion. They work by reducing stomach acid and can help relieve burping related to indigestion.
Some H2 blockers are available over the counter, while others require a prescription, especially at higher doses. They can be taken once symptoms begin, or 30 to 60 minutes before a meal to help prevent symptoms. Effects typically last between 4 and 10 hours.
People with hypersensitivity to H2 blockers or any of their components should not take H2 blockers. H2 blockers should be used with caution in people with liver and kidney disease, and only if approved by a doctor. It is important to avoid drinking alcohol while taking these medications.
Dosing instructions: H2 blockers are an oral medication that is typically taken once or twice daily. The starting dose of famotidine (Pepcid) is typically 20 mg twice a day for the treatment of GERD in adults. Cimetidine (Tagamet) 200 mg pills are also available over the counter, with a recommended dose of 200 mg twice a day for the relief of heartburn.
While some H2 blockers are available without a prescription, it is important to avoid taking these medications for more than 2 weeks without consulting your primary care provider.
4. Proton pump inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used to decrease acid secretion in the stomach and are sometimes used in combination with H2 blockers. Some PPIs, such as omeprazole (Prilosec), are available over the counter for the treatment of occasional heartburn.
Prescription-strength PPIs are used for the treatment of esophagitis, GERD, and as part of triple therapy for an H. pylori infection, which typically involves a 14 day course of a PPI plus clarithromycin (or metronidazole) plus amoxicillin.
PPIs should be used with caution in people with severe liver disease, and only if approved by a doctor. People with liver or kidney problems may require increased monitoring.
Dosing instructions: PPIs are taken by mouth, before meals, either once or twice daily. The dose of over-the-counter omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) is 20 mg once daily for 14 days for the treatment of heartburn. For treatment of an H. pylori infection, doctors will typically prescribe omeprazole 20 mg twice a day for 14 days in addition to antibiotics.
When to see a doctor
It is important to consult a gastroenterologist or primary care provider for constant or excessive burping, especially when accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Abdominal pain;
- Heartburn;
- Burning sensation in the stomach that can reach the throat or the chest;
- Feeling like your food has come back up into the mouth or throat;
- Early satiety (feeling full after only a small amount of food);
- Dark or bloody stool;
- Vomiting up blood;
- Unintentional weight loss (losing weight without trying).
These symptoms should always be evaluated by a doctor or other healthcare provider who can order exams like an upper GI endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) in order to identify the cause of the burping, which could be due to conditions like GERD, gastritis, a stomach ulcer, a hiatal hernia, gastroparesis, an H. pylori infection, or even lactose intolerance.
While over-the-counter medications for the treatment of heartburn and indigestion are generally considered to be safe, they are not typically indicated for long term use. Make sure to let your healthcare provider know about any other medications you are taking to avoid potential drug interactions.