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- What is Gerd
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or chronic acid reflux) is a condition in which acid-containing contents in your stomach persistently leak back up into your esophagus, the tube from your throat to your stomach.
- happens because a valve at the end of your esophagus, the lower esophageal sphincter, doesn’t close properly when food arrives at your stomach. Acid backwash then flows back up through your esophagus into your throat and mouth, giving you a sour taste.
- Links
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17019-gerd-or-acid-reflux-or-heartburn-overview
- https://medlineplus.gov/gerd.html
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease-gerd
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease
| · Drugs used to treat GERD | ||||
| Pregnant or nursing women should not take these drugs, except on the specific advice of a physician. | ||||
| Antacids | ||||
| Active ingredients* | Brand names | Use | Side effects | Comments |
| alumina, aluminum carbonate, aluminum hydroxide | Amphojel, Gaviscon, Maalox, Mylanta | Relieve heartburn and functional dyspepsia pain, and promote ulcer healing by neutralizing stomach acid | Constipation; diarrhea; excessive and prolonged doses may cause bone pain, feeling of discomfort, appetite loss, mood changes, muscle weakness | Should not be used by people with moderate to severe kidney disease; should not be taken within three to four hours of taking a tetracycline-type antibiotic |
| calcium carbonate | Alka-Mints, Caltrate, Rolaids, Tums | Chalky taste; constipation; excessive and prolonged doses may cause difficult, painful, or frequent urination, appetite loss, mood changes, muscle pain or twitching, nausea, restlessness, unpleasant taste | Side effects more likely for people with kidney disease | |
| magnesia, magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium trisilicate | Gaviscon, Gelusil, Maalox, Mylanta, Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia | Chalky taste; diarrhea; excessive and prolonged doses may cause difficult or painful urination, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite, mood changes, muscle weakness | Side effects more likely for people with kidney disease; do not use within three to four hours of taking tetracycline-type antibiotics | |
| sodium bicarbonate | Alka-Seltzer, baking soda | Abdominal fullness; belching; excessive and prolonged doses may cause frequent urge to urinate, mood changes, muscle pain, nausea, restlessness | Not advisable for people on low-sodium diets; side effects more likely for people with kidney disease | |
| *Most over-the-counter antacids contain two or more of these active ingredients. | ||||
| Histamine H2-receptor antagonists | ||||
| Generic name | Brand name | Use | Side effects | Comments |
| cimetidine | generic, Tagamet | Relieve heartburn and functional dyspepsia pain, and promote ulcer healing by decreasing stomach acid | Rarely, may cause diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, anxiety, depression, drowsiness, sleeplessness, headache, itching, redness of skin, confusion in ill or elderly people | May interfere with the absorption of anticoagulants, antidepressants, and hypertension medications |
| famotidine | generic, Pepcid | No serious drug interactions known | ||
| nizatidine | generic, Axid | |||
| At high doses may interact with anticoagulants | ||||
| Prokinetic agents | ||||
| Generic name | Brand name | Use | Side effects | Comments |
| metoclopramide | generic, Reglan | Speeds stomach emptying | Diarrhea; less frequently, may cause involuntary movement of limbs, restlessness, drowsiness, muscle tremor, spasms, breast discharge | Increases the effects of alcohol and other depressants; caution advised for individuals with type 1 diabetes or Parkinson’s disease |
| Proton pump inhibitors | ||||
| Generic name | Brand name | Use | Side effects | Comments |
| lansoprazole | generic, Prevacid | Treat reflux esophagitis and promote peptic ulcer healing by suppressing secretion of stomach acid | Headache, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, gas, nausea | Prolonged use may lead to low blood levels of vitamin B12 and magnesium, and thinner bones |
| omeprazole | generic, Prilosec, Zegerid | |||
| rabeprazole | Aciphex | |||
| pantoprazole | generic, Protonix | |||
| dexlansoprazole | Dexilant | |||
| esomeprazole | Nexium | |||