Acid pump inhibitors. The treatment of gastroesophageal reflux.

BACKGROUND

The place of acid pump inhibitors at the top of the efficacy table in the league of reflux therapies, and their eager patient acceptance, has aroused debate on their role.

OBJECTIVE

To understand the role of gastric acid and its inhibition in the pathogenesis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

DISCUSSION: Gastroesophageal reflux disease results from excessive exposure of the oesophagus to acidic contents. Acid pump inhibitors provide the most effective medical control of gastric acid throughout day and night, returning oesophageal pH to normal levels. They provide fast symptom relief and rapidly restore quality of life in all reflux patients more effectively than H2 receptor antagonists or prokinetic drugs. APIs heal oesophagitis of all grades of severity and provide safe, effective maintenance of healing with prevention of complications in longer term use.