What medications are used to treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?

From the Guidelines

Medications commonly used to treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which are considered the most effective option, as well as antacids and H2 blockers for mild symptoms. The treatment approach typically starts with lifestyle modifications and may progress to medication therapy, with PPIs such as omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and pantoprazole (Protonix) being the preferred choice for moderate to severe GERD, as supported by recent guidelines 1. Some key points to consider in the management of GERD include:

• A 4- to 8-week trial of single-dose PPI therapy is considered safe and appropriate for patients with typical reflux symptoms and no alarm symptoms, with the option to escalate to twice-a-day dosing or switch to a more potent acid suppressive agent if symptoms persist 1.
• Long-term PPI therapy should be monitored by a healthcare provider due to potential side effects like nutrient deficiencies and increased fracture risk 1.
• Lifestyle modifications, such as weight loss and bed elevation, can be effective in reducing GERD symptoms and improving treatment outcomes 1.
• For patients with persistent extra-oesophageal symptoms despite PPI therapy, investigation for non-GORD aetiologies should be considered before proceeding to endoscopy or function testing 1. Overall, the goal of medication therapy in GERD is to reduce stomach acid production, allowing the esophagus to heal and preventing complications like Barrett's esophagus or esophageal cancer, with PPIs being the most effective option for achieving this goal, as supported by the most recent and highest quality evidence 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Omeprazole delayed-release capsules are used in adults: • for up to 4 weeks to treat heartburn and other symptoms that happen with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Lansoprazole delayed-release capsules are indicated for short-term treatment in adults and pediatric patients 12 to 17 years of age (up to eight weeks) and pediatric patients one to 11 years of age (up to 12 weeks) for the treatment of heartburn and other symptoms associated with GERD [see Clinical Studies ( 14.7)].

The medications used to treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) are:

• Omeprazole
• Lansoprazole 2 3

From the Research

Medications for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

The following medications are used to treat GERD:

• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
• Histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) 4, 6, 7, 8
• Alginates 4, 8
• Antacids 4, 7, 8
• Mucosal protective agents 4, 5
• Potassium competitive acid blockers (PCABs) 4, 5
• Prokinetics 4, 5, 7
• Gamma aminobutyric acid-B (GABA-B) receptor agonists 4
• Metabotropic glutamate receptor-5 (mGluR5) antagonists 4
• Pain modulators 4

Treatment Strategies

Treatment strategies for GERD include:

• Lifestyle modifications 7, 8
• Medical therapy, which can be tailored to each patient 7
• Invasive antireflux options, such as laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS), endoscopic transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF), magnetic sphincter augmentation (LINX), or radiofrequency therapy (Stretta) 4
• Step-up or step-down therapy 8