title: Pharmacological management of GERD: where does it stand now?
abstract: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is very common and advances in drug development over recent years have markedly improved GERD management. A wide range of medications are currently used in GERD treatment, including antacids, Gaviscon, sucralfate, histamine-2 receptor antagonists and prokinetics. However, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) remain the mainstay of treatment for GERD owing to their profound and consistent inhibitory effect on acid secretion. Despite the presence of a wide armamentarium of therapeutic modalities for GERD, many areas of unmet needs remain. Drug development has focused primarily on improving PPI efficacy, reducing the transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation rate, attenuating esophageal sensitivity and developing esophageal mucosal protectants.
authors.affiliation: The Neuroenteric Clinical Research Group, Southern Arizona VA Health Care System and University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Tiberiu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hershcovici
authors.forename: Ronnie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fass
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015195:Drug Design; D049630:Esophageal Sphincter, Lower / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004947:Esophagus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors