Efficacy, safety, and cost issues in managing patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.
The phases of therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the efficacy, safety, and cost of the various drugs used are discussed. The therapeutic goals for patients with GERD are to relieve pain, promote healing, avoid complications, and prevent recurrence. Sustained inhibition of gastric acid secretion is necessary to facilitate healing of eroded esophageal mucosa. Phase 1 treatment involves lifestyle changes to remove factors that may help to precipitate reflux, such as overeating, alcohol, and tobacco. Phase 2 involves pharmacologic manipulation of the secretion, concentration, and transport of gastric acid. The drugs used are antacids, alginic acid, the histamine H2-receptor antagonists, the prokinetic agents, sucralfate, and omeprazole. While all of these agents may provide symptomatic relief, only the H2 antagonists and omeprazole have been convincingly shown to relieve symptoms and promote healing. The H2 antagonists differ in potency, pharmacodynamic effect, pharmacokinetics in certain patient groups, drug interactions, and adverse effects. The H2 antagonists may not be effective at standard dosages in patients who secrete especially large quantities of gastric acid. Because of its mechanism of action, omeprazole provides greater inhibition of gastric acid than any other antisecretory drug. Omeprazole may also be the most cost-effective treatment. The availability of omeprazole may reduce the number of patients for whom clinicians must resort to phase 3 treatment, surgery. Although many drugs provide symptomatic relief in patients with GERD, the healing that is necessary to break the cycle of damage and symptoms is promoted only by the H2 antagonists and omeprazole.
Garnett
W R
WR
School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond 23298-0533.
D000464:Alginates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000863:Antacids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016527:Drug Costs; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013392:Sucralfate / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000464:Alginates; D000863:Antacids; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D013392:Sucralfate; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D009853:Omeprazole