Anti-Reflux Drugs
There are several treatment options for acid reflux available to people suffering from recurring acid reflux.
Prescription medications for acid reflux/GERD are very misunderstood by consumers. What people don’t often realize is that most of these drugs are only supposed to be taken as a short term course of treatment (less than 8 weeks in most cases). Long term therapy with these prescription medications can lead to accumulated side effects including headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Why then, do doctors prescribe these medications to their patients for years? They claim they do not have other options or they do not want to look into alternative options. Prescribing information for the most popular prescription medications can be found lower on this page.
CBS News, February 15, 2016:
- Popular heartburn drugs linked to risk of dementia
- German researchers found that people 75 or older who regularly take the heartburn medications had a 44 percent increased risk of dementia, compared with seniors not using the drugs.
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) appear to effect levels of amyloid beta and tau, which are proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease, the German authors said.
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) use can also lead to vitamin B12 deficiency, which has been associated with cognitive decline.
- Concern has been increasing that Americans might be overusing Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) to treat minor cases of heartburn or acid reflux.
- “Clinicians should follow guidelines for Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) prescription, to avoid over prescribing PPIs and inappropriate use,” Haenisch (Britta Haenisch, from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Bonn) said.
For more details, follow this link: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/heartburn-drugs-ppi-prilosec-nexium-prevacid-risk-of-dementia/
Anti-Reflux Drugs are prescribed by physicians and are also known as Proton Pump Inhibitors. They are most commonly known by their commercial names:
Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphex, Tagamet, Zantac, Axid, Pepcid
Proton pump inhibitors stop acid secretion at the source of acid production… the proton pump.
Unfortunately, the effectiveness of PPI’s at suppressing gastric acid also causes the body to secrete less gastrin, a hormone needed for the digestion of protein. Interfering with the digestive process this way can cause an array of problems simply because when food is present in the stomach, people taking PPI’s do not secrete adequate gastric acid and enzymes for its digestion. This can lead to indigestion, bloating, flatulence, and constipation. These symptoms may be more severe with a high protein diet.
Other drug treatments:
- Gastric H2 receptor blockers inhibit secretions caused by histamine and gastrin. They also inhibit fasting, nocturnal secretion, and secretion stimulated by food, insulin, and caffeine.
- Antacids
- Prokinetic Agents do not inhibit gastric acid secretion. Instead, they stimulate the motility of the upper GI tract by increasing the frequency of contractions in the small intestine. This accelerates stomach emptying.
Are you taking prescription drugs for more than directed?
Many popular prescription drugs designed to cure acid reflux are supposed to be used as temporary treatments, and yet many people have been taking them for years.
Prilosec
“How long can I take Prilosec OTC? Prilosec OTC is a 14-day regimen that is indicated for three courses per year. While it is safe to treat frequent heartburn regularly with Prilosec OTC, it is strong enough to mask more serious conditions. If you want to take more than the three indicated courses, first consult your doctor.”
Nexium
“NEXIUM is indicated for the short-term treatment (4 to 8 weeks) in the healing and symptomatic resolution of diagnostically confirmed erosive esophagitis. For those patients who have not healed after 4 to 8 weeks of treatment, an additional 4 to 8 week course of NEXIUM may be considered.”
**Controlled studies did not extend beyond six months.
Download Original Prescribing Information
Prevacid
“PREVACID is indicated for short-term treatment (up to 8 weeks) for healing and symptom relief of active benign gastric ulcer.” “Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Short-term treatment of symptomatic GERD…once daily for up to 8 weeks.
Short-term treatment of Erosive Esophagitis…once daily for up to 8 weeks.
**For patients who do not heal with PREVACID for 8 weeks , it may be helpful to give an additional 8 weeks of treatment. If
there is a recurrence of erosive esophagitis, an additional 8 week course of PREVACID may be considered.”
Download Original Prescribing Information
Protonix
“PROTONIX is indicated for the short-term treatment (up to 8 weeks) in the healing and symptomatic relief of erosive esophagitis. For those patients who have not healed after 8 weeks of treatment, an additional 8-week course of PROTONIX may be considered.”
“PROTONIX is indicated for maintenance of healing of erosive esophagitis and reduction in relapse rates of daytime and nighttime heartburn symptoms in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Controlled studies did not extend beyond 12 months.”
Download Original Prescribing Information
Aciphex
“ACIPHEX is indicated for short-term (4 to 8 weeks) treatment in the healing and symptomatic relief of erosive or ulcerative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). For those patients who have not healed after 8 weeks of treatment, an additional 8-week course of ACIPHEX may be considered.”:
“ACIPHEX is indicated for maintaining healing and reduction in relapse rates of heartburn symptoms in patients with erosive or ulcerative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD Maintenance). Controlled studies do not extend beyond 12 months.”
Download Original Prescribing Information
Kapidex / DEXILANT (dexlansoprazol)
Kapidex / DEXILANT (dexlansoprazol) is indicated for the treatment of heartburn associated with non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for 4 weeks.
Download Original Prescribing Information
List of all Proton Pump Inhibitors
- Omeprazole (brand names: Losec, Prilosec, Zegerid, ocid, Lomac, Omepral, Omez)
- Lansoprazole (brand names: Prevacid, Zoton, Inhibitol, Levant, Lupizole)
- Dexlansoprazole (brand name: Kapidex)
- Esomeprazole (brand names: Nexium, Esotrex)
- Pantoprazole (brand names: Protonix, Somac, Pantoloc, Pantozol, Zurcal, Pan)
- Rabeprazole (brand names: Rabecid, Aciphex, Pariet, Rabeloc. Dorafem)
DISCLAIMER:
Individual result may vary.
Acidgone®
- What is Acidgone® ( aka Acid Gone® ) ?
- Is Acidgone® right for me?
- Ingredients
- Directions For Use/Smoothie Recipes
Acid Reflux
Treatment Options
- Visit www.leannclean.com to learn about our Intestinal Cleansing / Body Detox product- Lean-N-Clean®
- Read About How You Can Avoid Being a Willing Medical Victim on willingmedicalvictims.org
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