Proton Pump Inhibitors for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Examples
|
| dexlansoprazole | Dexilant |
| esomeprazole | Nexium |
| lansoprazole | Prevacid |
| omeprazole | Prilosec, Zegerid |
| pantoprazole | Protonix |
| rabeprazole | Aciphex |
These medicines are taken by mouth (as a pill or liquid)
once or twice a day. Some of these drugs are given intravenously (IV) in the
hospital.
Some of these medicines are available without a prescription. But if you have been using
Prilosec OTC to treat your symptoms for longer than 2 weeks, talk to your
doctor. If you have GERD, it could be causing damage to your esophagus. Your
doctor can help you find the right treatment.
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:
- To prevent GERD symptoms.
- To heal inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis).
- To prevent esophagitis 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.
How Well It Works
Proton pump inhibitors can heal the esophagus in about 8 out of 10 people who take them.1
Proton pump inhibitors also work to help symptoms of GERD. But the number of people who take PPIs and who have no GERD symptoms is usually less than 5 out of 10 people. That means that of the people taking PPIs, more than 5 out of 10 still have some GERD symptoms.
Proton pump inhibitors work best when they are taken 30 minutes before
your first meal of the day. If taking one pill before your first meal does not completely relieve your
symptoms, talk to your doctor about taking another pill before your evening meal.
Side Effects
These medicines are generally well
tolerated by the people who take them. Headache and diarrhea are the most
frequent side effects that may occur.
Proton pump inhibitors may have more serious side
effects, too:
- They may reduce the amount of calcium your body
absorbs. This may be linked to an increased risk of broken bones.2
- They may make it more likely that you will get
certain infections.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug
Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
For a very small number of people
who take proton pump inhibitors, the medicines do not work well. For these
people, other treatments for GERD can be tried. Sometimes proton pump
inhibitors do not work well because people do not know when to take them.
Proton pump inhibitors work best when they are taken 30 minutes before
your first meal of the day. If taking one pill before your first meal does not completely relieve your
symptoms, talk to your doctor about taking another pill before your evening meal.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
- Moayyedi P, et al. (2007). Medical treatments in the short term management of reflux oesophagitis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2).
- Yang YX, et al. (2006). Long-term proton pump
inhibitor therapy and risk of hip fracture. JAMA,
296(24): 2947–2953.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology |
|---|
| Last Revised | March 16, 2010 |
|---|
Last Revised:
March 16, 2010
Moayyedi P, et al. (2007). Medical treatments in the short term management of reflux oesophagitis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2).
Yang YX, et al. (2006). Long-term proton pump
inhibitor therapy and risk of hip fracture. JAMA,
296(24): 2947–2953.
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