Proton pump inhibitors for peptic ulcer disease
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Examples
| Brand Name | Chemical Name |
| Nexium | esomeprazole |
| Brand Name | Chemical Name |
| Prevacid | lansoprazole |
| Brand Name | Chemical Name |
| Prilosec | omeprazole |
| Brand Name | Chemical Name |
| Protonix | pantoprazole |
| Brand Name | Chemical Name |
| Aciphex | rabeprazole |
Proton pump inhibitors are usually taken once a day. They are sometimes taken twice a day if a stronger dose is needed. They provide short-term (4 to 8 weeks) treatment of ulcers in the stomach and the upper small intestine. They also are used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
How It Works
Proton pump inhibitors greatly reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach, which in turn reduces irritation of the stomach lining and allows an ulcer to heal.
Proton pump inhibitors also help kill Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria when used with antibiotics.
Why It Is Used
Proton pump inhibitors are used to treat ulcers.
How Well It Works
Proton pump inhibitors can suppress more than 90% of stomach acid production. They are more effective than H2 blockers. After 4 weeks of treatment, ulcers are more likely to have healed when using proton pump inhibitors than when using H2 blockers or antacids.
Most ulcers heal within 4 weeks, although some people may need up to 4 more weeks of treatment to complete healing.
Side Effects
These medications generally are well-tolerated. Headache and diarrhea are the most frequent side effects. These medications may interfere slightly with the actions of warfarin (Coumadin) and phenytoin (Dilantin).
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Proton pump inhibitors usually cost more than H2 blockers.
Some doctors may have concerns about the risk of using proton pump inhibitors to reduce stomach acid production for a long time. However, omeprazole has been used by some people for up to 10 years with no indication that the medication causes cancer. Proton pump inhibitors are approved for long-term use in Canada, Europe, and the United States.
A nonprescription version of omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of frequent heartburn. However, omeprazole for treatment of more serious conditions including peptic ulcers and GERD can only be prescribed by a doctor.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
Credits
| Author | Colleen Cronin |
| Author | Ralph Poore |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Michele Cronen |
| Associate Editor | Terrina Vail |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Andrew H. Soll, MD - Gastroenterology |
| Last Updated | January 12, 2006 |
| Last updated: | January 12, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Ralph Poore |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Andrew H. Soll, MD - Gastroenterology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Terrina Vail |
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