right, I use a base to neutralize the acid in my throat because i never remember to buy hcl tablets at the pharmacy when i am there quarterly. If i had issues more commonly i would have probably already tried HCl. My reflux went from twice a month to a few times a year after i completely stopped drinking any alcohol. I reckon my few times a year now is from eating spicy food and then drinking too much liquid.
i should note that the HCl tablets thing is something i picked up on in my 20s, apparently everyone had reflux back then, and most people just ate a tums or whatever, but a couple of folks had their doctors tell them it was because of weak stomach acid, so food was taking too long to digest, then you're laying down or whatever.
My little anecdotes are flavor, they're not relevant to HCl tablet efficacy (for example.) It's just an OTC thing that either works or doesn't. Ask your doctor today.
I only get bad reflux a few times a year and I use baking soda, so I never think to buy HCl at a pharmacy.
Best of luck.