Proton pump inhibitors for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Examples
Generic Name Brand Name esomeprazole Nexium lansoprazole Prevacid omeprazole Losec pantoprazole Pantoloc rabeprazole Pariet These medications are available as time-release capsules that are taken orally once a day. Some of these drugs are given intravenously (IV) in the hospital.
How It Works
Proton pump inhibitors reduce the production of acid in the stomach. This leaves little acid in the stomach juice so that if stomach juice backs up into the esophagus, it is less irritating. This allows the esophagus to heal.
Why It Is Used
Proton pump inhibitors are usually used:
- For severe or long-lasting GERD symptoms (heartburn), especially when the symptoms do not respond to H2 blockers.
- If the doctor finds you have severe inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis).
- To prevent symptoms from coming back after the esophagus is healed (maintenance therapy) and to prevent complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
People with Barrett's esophagus are often treated with proton pump inhibitors because these drugs are more effective in lowering the acid level of stomach juices.
How Well It Works
Proton pump inhibitors can suppress over 90% of stomach acid production. When the dose is adjusted correctly, proton pump inhibitors are very effective in eliminating symptoms of GERD.1
These drugs are more effective than H2 blockers at healing severe inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis).1, 2
Side Effects
These medications are generally well-tolerated by the people who take them. Headache and diarrhea are the most frequent side effects that may occur. These medications may interfere slightly with the actions of warfarin (such as Coumadin) and phenytoin (such as Dilantin).
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Some doctors may have concerns about the risk of using proton pump inhibitors to reduce stomach acid production for a long time. However, omeprazole has been used by some people for up to 12 years with no sign that any significant problems are caused by the reduced production of stomach acid, and concern over these possible risks has become much less. Proton pump inhibitors are approved for long-term use in Canada, Europe, and the United States.
For a very small number of people who take proton pump inhibitors, the medications do not work well. For these people, other treatments for GERD can be tried.
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| Author: | Douglas Dana Merrill Hayden | Last Updated: July 14, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Examples | |
| How It Works | |
| Why It Is Used | |
| How Well It Works | |
| Side Effects | |
| What To Think About | |
| References | |