Pharma gyan Pandit

Medication use for Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Proton pump inhibitors

The second type of drug developed specifically for acid-related diseases, such as Gastroesophageal reflux disease, was a proton pump inhibitor, specifically, omeprazole. A proton pump inhibitor blocks the secretion of acid into the stomach by the acid-secreting cells. The advantage of a proton pump inhibitor over an H₂ antagonist is that the proton pump inhibitor shuts off acid production more completely and for a longer period of time. Not only is the proton pump inhibitor good for treating the symptom of heartburn, but it also is good for protecting the esophagus from acid so that esophageal inflammation can heal.

proton pump inhibitors are used when H₂ antagonists do not relieve symptoms adequately or when complications of Gastroesophageal reflux disease such as erosions or ulcers, strictures, or Barrett's esophagus exist. Five different proton pump inhibitors are approved for the treatment of Gastroesophageal reflux disease, including omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole, and esomeprazole, and dexlansoprazole. A sixth proton pump inhibitor product consists of a combination of omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate. proton pump inhibitors (except for Zegarid) are best taken an hour before meals. The reason for this timing is that the proton pump inhibitors work best when the stomach is most actively producing acid, which occurs after meals. If the proton pump inhibitor is taken before the meal, it is at peak levels in the body after the meal when the acid is being made.