December 30th, 2009 
admin Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Cells located in stomach of human body secrets acid and makes food digestion easy. Secreted acid is damaging in nature. To prevent damage of stomach from acid, stomach is internally covered by mucosal membrane. Entire gastrointestinal tract is covered with mucosal membrane. This mucosal membrane lining in gastrointestinal tract prevents erosion may caused by acid. In some people such protection covers gets damaged for number of reasons. Acid comes in contact with stomach muscles and causes ulcer.
What is Acid Reflux?
Since sole purpose of secreted acid is to help food digestion it should not go to other organs. Sphincter, a part between the oesophagus and the stomach works as barrier to prevent acid coming into oesophagus. Damaged sphincter allows acid to go to oesophagus and cause irritation. This is called ‘Acid Reflux’ which is more commonly known as acidity.
Types of Drugs to Treat Gastroesophageal reflux disease
There are seven types of drugs being used to treat Gastroesophagel reflux disease. Depending upon action and mechanism drugs are divided into seven different categories.
Proton pump inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors blocks the proton pumping process. The process that secrets acid is called gastric H+/K+ ATPase or gastric hydrogen potassium ATPase or Proton pumping. Proton pump inhibitor drugs blocks that process and stops excess of acid production. Drugs that fall in this category are…..
- Prilosec (Omeprazole)
- Nexium (Esomeprazole)
- Protonix (Pantoprazole)
- Prevacid (Lansoprazole)
- Aciphex (Rabeprazole)
- Kapidex (Dexlansoprazole)
These five drugs are the most effective for the treatment of acid reflux and ulcer.
Gastric H2 receptor blockers
- Ranitidine
- Famotidine
- Cimetidine
These drugs decrease acid secretion by competitively antagonizing histamines to its parietal cells receptors. Mechanism of working of these drugs is similar to antihistamines. More powerful effect of proton pump inhibitor drugs suppressed its popularity.
Antacids
Antacids are quite different in mechanism. Antacids work by increasing hydrogen ions in acidic solution. Hydrogen ions decrease acidity.
Alginic acid Gaviscon
This drug works by coating mucosal membrane and also, like antacids, increases pH. Alginat creates barrier and stops acid from refluxing.
Prokinetics
These drugs increase contractions of small intestine, strengthen the lower part of and accelerates gastric emptying.
Cisapride (this drugs has been withdrawn from market)
Reglan (metoclopramide) is also a prokinetic drug.
Sucralfate
- Carafate
This drug works in three ways. Sucralfate…..
- Reacts with hydrochloric acid in stomach and forms gell like substance that keeps buffering acid
- Forms protective layer on ulcer to prevent further damage. Protective layer formed by sucralfate also help to heal and prevent esophageal damage.
- Blocks diffusion of hydrogen ions.
Mosapride
Mosapride is an agonist that inhibits 5-HT4. It is used to treat acid reflux and dyspepsia.
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