Heartburn Treatment London: Same-Day Relief From An Online GP

Heartburn is one of the most common reasons people in London reach for a GP appointment, and one of the easiest to sort out online. That burning feeling behind the breastbone after meals, the acid taste at the back of the throat, the nights spent propped on extra pillows: for most people these are symptoms of acid reflux, and they respond well to the right treatment. An online GP can assess your symptoms, rule out anything that needs a closer look and prescribe treatment the same day. At The Online GP by The Wellness, consultations are with UK-registered doctors, with prescriptions sent straight to your local pharmacy.

What causes heartburn?

Heartburn happens when stomach acid flows back up into the oesophagus, the tube between your mouth and stomach. The valve at the bottom of the oesophagus normally keeps acid where it belongs, but it can relax at the wrong times. Common triggers include large or late meals, fatty and spicy food, coffee, alcohol, chocolate, smoking, being overweight, pregnancy and some medicines. Occasional heartburn after a heavy meal is normal. Heartburn twice a week or more is called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, or GORD (GERD in American spelling), and deserves proper treatment rather than a drawer full of antacid packets.

Symptoms that fit acid reflux

The classic picture is a burning sensation behind the breastbone, worse after eating, when bending over or when lying down. Many people also notice acid or food coming back up, a sour taste in the mouth, bloating, a persistent cough, a hoarse voice in the morning or a feeling of a lump in the throat. These symptoms, in an otherwise well adult, usually point to reflux and can be assessed safely by phone or video.

Symptoms that need checking properly first

Some symptoms should never be self-treated for weeks without a medical opinion. Tell the doctor if you have difficulty swallowing, food sticking, unintentional weight loss, vomiting blood or black stools, persistent vomiting, new symptoms starting after age 55, or chest pain that could be coming from the heart. Chest pain with shortness of breath, sweating or pain spreading to the arm or jaw is an emergency: call 999 rather than booking any appointment.

How an online GP can help today

With The Online GP by The Wellness, you can speak to a doctor the same day. Your doctor will take a proper history, check for the warning features above, review any medicines that might be contributing and prescribe treatment where appropriate. Prescriptions are sent electronically to a pharmacy you choose, so treatment can start today. A phone consultation is £59 for 15 minutes, a video consultation is £150, and an in-person appointment at our Marylebone clinic is £220. Not sure whether your symptoms fit? Message us on WhatsApp for a free triage and we will point you to the right next step.

Treatment your doctor may prescribe

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Medicines such as omeprazole and lansoprazole switch off most acid production and are the standard treatment for frequent heartburn, usually as a once-daily course for four to eight weeks.

H2 blockers and antacids. Famotidine and simple antacids or alginates such as Gaviscon can help milder or occasional symptoms, and work well alongside a PPI at the start.

Lifestyle measures that actually move the needle. Eating earlier in the evening, reducing trigger foods, losing weight if relevant, raising the head of the bed and cutting back on alcohol and smoking all reduce symptoms, and your doctor will be honest about which of these matter most for you.

If symptoms persist despite a proper course of treatment, your doctor will discuss the next step, which may be a referral for an endoscopy to look at the oesophagus directly.

What does online heartburn treatment cost?

With The Online GP by The Wellness, a phone consultation is £59 for 15 minutes, a video consultation is £150, and an in-person consultation is £220. Private walk-in clinics in London commonly charge £100 to £250 for the same short appointment before any prescription costs. Your prescription is sent to a normal pharmacy, where you pay the pharmacy's own price for the medicine.

Why choose The Online GP by The Wellness

Every consultation is with a UK-registered, GMC-registered doctor, not an automated questionnaire. Same-day appointments are available seven days a week, prescriptions go straight to your chosen pharmacy, and if your history suggests something that needs an examination or a camera test, we say so plainly and arrange the right referral. You can also read about what an online GP can prescribe.

To get treated today, call 020 3951 3429, email team@thewellnesslondon.com or book an appointment online.

Frequently asked questions

Can an online GP prescribe omeprazole?

Yes. A doctor can prescribe proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole after a phone or video consultation, provided your symptoms fit and there are no warning features that need investigation first. The prescription is sent electronically to a pharmacy you choose.

When is heartburn serious?

Heartburn with difficulty swallowing, food sticking, unintentional weight loss, vomiting blood, black stools or persistent vomiting needs prompt medical assessment. New symptoms after age 55 also deserve a proper review rather than long-term self-treatment.

Is chest pain always heartburn?

No. Heart pain can mimic reflux. Chest pain with shortness of breath, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back may be a heart attack: call 999 immediately rather than waiting for any GP appointment.

Why is my heartburn worse at night?

Lying flat removes gravity's help in keeping acid down, and late meals mean the stomach is still full. Eating earlier, avoiding evening triggers and raising the head of the bed all help, alongside treatment if symptoms are frequent.

Can I just take Gaviscon instead?

For occasional mild heartburn after a heavy meal, an alginate or antacid is reasonable. If you need it most days, that is a sign to treat the underlying reflux properly with a prescribed course rather than managing symptoms indefinitely.

How much does an online heartburn consultation cost in London?

At The Online GP by The Wellness, a phone consultation is £59 for 15 minutes, a video consultation is £150 and an in-person appointment is £220. The prescription is sent to a local pharmacy, where you pay the pharmacy price for the medicine.

This article is for information and does not replace personal medical advice. Written by The Wellness Team and medically reviewed by The Wellness Clinical Team. Last updated October 2026.