Digestive & stomach
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Occasional heartburn is one thing; burning that shows up several times a week is worth a proper look. At Murray Shore Pharmacy in North York, a pharmacist can assess uncomplicated acid reflux under OHIP, screen carefully for the warning signs that need a physician, and prescribe where appropriate.
Common signs
- Burning behind the breastbone, typically after meals
- Sour or bitter fluid rising into the throat or mouth
- Symptoms that flare when lying down or bending over
- Waking at night with burning or coughing
- A long-running reliance on antacids to get through the week
See a doctor instead if
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing
- Unintended weight loss
- Vomiting blood, or stools that are black and tarry
- Chest pain that could be heart-related, which is an emergency, not a pharmacy visit
- New or changed symptoms after age 50
Any of these sound like you? Call 416-789-1800 and we will point you the right way — or reach Health811 (opens in a new tab) by calling 811.
How the assessment works
The assessment opens with the alarm features, because ruling those out is what makes pharmacy-level care appropriate; anyone with a red flag is referred without delay. For uncomplicated reflux, the pharmacist reviews your meal patterns, weight history, and current medication list, since several common drugs aggravate reflux, and where appropriate an acid-reducing medication may be prescribed for a defined course with a planned follow-up rather than an open-ended supply.
Sources 1, 2Three ways to get started. Do it all from home, or come in.
Start online from your phone, call us, or walk in and ask for the pharmacist. No appointment is needed. When you start online, a pharmacist calls or messages you back to finish the assessment. Prefer email? Write to us.
Frequently asked questions
Plain answers from the pharmacy team. Tap a question to open it.
Do I need a scope or any tests before the pharmacist can assess my heartburn?
No. Uncomplicated reflux is assessed on symptoms alone. Testing enters the picture only when alarm features are present, and spotting those is exactly what the first part of the assessment is for.
I have chewed antacids daily for a month. Is that a problem?
It is a signal worth acting on. Daily antacid use means the underlying reflux is not controlled, and it can also mask changes that matter. Bring the product with you; the assessment will sort out what should replace the routine.
Could my other medications be causing the heartburn?
Quite possibly. A number of common medications relax the valve at the top of the stomach or irritate the esophagus directly. A medication review is built into the assessment, which is one advantage of having it done at a pharmacy.
How long does a reflux assessment take at Murray Shore?
Plan for roughly 15 to 20 minutes in the private consultation room. Bring your health card, your medication list or the bottles themselves, and a rough sense of when symptoms hit during the day.
What happens if my symptoms come back after the prescribed course ends?
Returning symptoms after a completed course change the picture, and the follow-up we schedule is designed to catch that. Depending on what we find, the next step is either an adjusted plan or a referral to your physician for investigation.
Who is eligible for the pharmacist reflux assessment?
Adults with mild, uncomplicated heartburn or reflux fit the program, which is defined by the Government of Ontario. Alarm features such as trouble swallowing, unintended weight loss, or black stools take the case to a physician, and screening for them opens the assessment.
Is the assessment covered by OHIP?
Yes, with a valid Ontario health card the assessment costs you nothing. Any prescribed medication is billed to your drug plan or paid out of pocket, and we tell you the price before filling it.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Walk in to 3537 Bathurst Street, or call 416-789-1800 if you want to time your visit around the consultation room's availability.
When is heartburn actually an emergency?
Chest pain with shortness of breath, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw is treated as heart trouble until proven otherwise, and that means 911, not the pharmacy. Reflux is common, but it never gets the benefit of the doubt over the heart.
What everyday changes help reflux the most?
Smaller meals, finishing eating two to three hours before lying down, raising the head of the bed, and limiting your personal trigger foods all reduce symptoms for many people. The assessment turns that generic list into the two or three changes most likely to matter for you.
Can seniors have this assessment, given all my other medications?
Yes, and the medication review is arguably the most valuable part at that age. Several common medications aggravate reflux or interact with reflux treatments, and the pharmacist checks your full list before anything is suggested.
Sources & further reading
Numbered references, linked from the sections above.
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416-789-1800 Call nowPrefer not to call? Email info@murrayshore.com or visit us at Bathurst & Baycrest.