What medications are used to treat Rumination Syndrome?

From the Research

Medications Used to Treat Rumination Syndrome

The following medications have been proposed as adjunctive therapies for rumination syndrome:

• Baclofen: a muscle relaxant that has been shown to decrease rumination frequency in adults and children with rumination syndrome 1, 2
• Prokinetics: medications that enhance gastrointestinal motility, which may help reduce symptoms of rumination syndrome 1
• Antireflux medications: may be used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that may co-occur with rumination syndrome 1

Treatment Approaches

The mainstay of treatment for rumination syndrome is:

• Behavioral therapy: including habit reversal techniques, diaphragmatic breathing exercises, and cognitive behavioral therapy 1, 3, 4, 5
• Patient education and reassurance: important for helping patients understand and manage their symptoms 4

Adjunctive Therapies

Other therapies that may be used in conjunction with behavioral therapy and medication include:

• Biofeedback: to help patients become aware of and control their abdominal muscle contractions 3, 4
• Chewing gum: may help reduce symptoms of rumination syndrome by increasing saliva production and reducing abdominal pressure 1