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Drugs for decreasing acidity are used for peptic ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD—see Esophageal and Swallowing Disorders: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)), and many forms of gastritis. Some drugs are used in regimens for treating H. pylori infection. Drugs include proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, antacids, and prostaglandins.
Proton pump inhibitors:
These drugs are potent inhibitors of H+,K+‑ATPase. This enzyme, located in the apical secretory membrane of the parietal cell, plays a key role in the secretion of H+ (protons). These drugs can completely inhibit acid secretion and have a long duration of action. They promote ulcer healing and are also key components of H. pylori eradication regimens. Proton pump inhibitors have replaced H2 blockers in most clinical situations because of greater rapidity of action and efficacy.
Proton pump inhibitors include esomeprazole, lansoprazole, and pantoprazole, all available orally and IV, and omeprazole and rabeprazole, available only orally in the US (see Table 1: Gastritis and Peptic Ulcer Disease: Proton Pump Inhibitors ). Omeprazole is available without a prescription in the US. For uncomplicated duodenal ulcers, omeprazole 20 mg po once/day or lansoprazole 30 mg po once/day is given for 4 wk. Complicated duodenal ulcers (ie, multiple ulcers, bleeding ulcers, those > 1.5 cm, or those occurring in patients with serious underlying illness) respond better to higher doses (omeprazole 40 mg once/day, lansoprazole 60 mg once/day or 30 mg bid). Gastric ulcers require treatment for 6 to 8 wk. Gastritis and GERD require 8 to 12 wk of therapy; GERD additionally requires long-term maintenance.
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Table 1
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| Proton Pump Inhibitors |
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Drug
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Most Conditions*
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Complicated Duodenal Ulcers
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Esomeprazole
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40 mg once/day
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40 mg bid
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Lansoprazole
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30 mg once/day
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30 mg bid
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Omeprazole
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20 mg once/day
(Pediatric dose: 1 mg/kg/day in a single dose or divided bid)†
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40 mg once/day
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Pantoprazole
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40 mg once/day
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40 mg bid
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Rabeprazole
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20 mg once/day
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20 mg bid
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*Gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, uncomplicated duodenal ulcers.
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†Representative doses. Data are limited to the use of proton pump inhibitors in children.
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Long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy produces elevated gastrin levels, which lead to enterochromaffin-like cell hyperplasia. However, there is no evidence of dysplasia or malignant transformation in patients receiving this treatment. Some may develop vitamin B12 malabsorption.
H2 blockers:
These drugs (cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine, available IV and orally; and nizatidine available orally) are competitive inhibitors of histamine at the H2 receptor, thus suppressing gastrin-stimulated acid secretion and proportionately reducing gastric juice volume. Histamine-mediated pepsin secretion is also decreased.
H2 blockers are well absorbed from the GI tract, with onset of action 30 to 60 min after ingestion and peak effects at 1 to 2 h. IV administration produces a more rapid onset of action. Duration of action is proportional to dose and ranges from 6 to 20 h. Doses should often be reduced in elderly patients.
For duodenal ulcers, once daily oral administration of cimetidine 800 mg, ranitidine 300 mg, famotidine 40 mg, or nizatidine 300 mg given at bedtime or after dinner for 6 to 8 wk is effective. Gastric ulcers may respond to the same regimen continued for 8 to 12 wk, but because nocturnal acid secretion is less important, morning administration may be equally or more effective. Children ≥ 40 kg may receive adult doses. Below that weight, the oral dosage is ranitidine 2 mg/kg q 12 h and cimetidine 10 mg/kg q 12 h. For GERD, H2 blockers are now mostly used for pain management. Gastritis heals with famotidine or ranitidine given bid for 8 to 12 wk.
Cimetidine has minor antiandrogen effects expressed as reversible gynecomastia and, less commonly, erectile dysfunction with prolonged use. Mental status changes, diarrhea, rash, drug fever, myalgias, thrombocytopenia, and sinus bradycardia and hypotension after rapid IV administration have been reported with all H2 blockers, generally in < 1% of treated patients but more commonly in elderly patients.
Cimetidine and, to a lesser extent, other H2 blockers interact with the P‑450 microsomal enzyme system and may delay metabolism of other drugs eliminated through this system (eg, phenytoin, warfarin, theophylline, diazepam, lidocaine).
Antacids:
These agents neutralize gastric acid and reduce pepsin activity (which diminishes as gastric pH rises to > 4.0). In addition, some antacids adsorb pepsin. Antacids may interfere with the absorption of other drugs (eg, tetracycline, digoxin, iron).
Antacids relieve symptoms, promote ulcer healing, and reduce recurrence. They are relatively inexpensive but must be taken 5 to 7 times/day. The optimal antacid regimen for ulcer healing seems to be 15 to 30 mL of liquid or 2 to 4 tablets 1 h and 3 h after each meal and at bedtime. The total daily dosage of antacids should provide 200 to 400 mEq neutralizing capacity. However, antacids have been superseded by acid suppressive therapy in the treatment of peptic ulcer and are used only for short-term symptom relief.
In general, there are 2 types of antacids: absorbable and nonabsorbable. Absorbable antacids (eg, Na bicarbonate, Ca carbonate) provide rapid, complete neutralization but may cause alkalosis and should be used only briefly (1 or 2 days). Nonabsorbable antacids (eg, aluminum or Mg hydroxide) have fewer systemic adverse effects and are preferred.
Aluminum hydroxide is a relatively safe, commonly used antacid. With chronic use, phosphate depletion occasionally develops as a result of binding of phosphate by aluminum in the GI tract. The risk of phosphate depletion increases in alcoholics, undernourished patients, and patients with renal disease (including those receiving hemodialysis). Aluminum hydroxide causes constipation.
Mg hydroxide is a more effective antacid than aluminum but may cause diarrhea. To limit diarrhea, many proprietary antacids combine Mg and aluminum antacids. Because small amounts of Mg are absorbed, Mg preparations should be used with caution in patients with renal disease.
Prostaglandins:
Certain prostaglandins (especially misoprostol) inhibit acid secretion by decreasing the generation of cyclic AMP that is triggered by histamine stimulation of the parietal cell, and enhance mucosal defense. Synthetic prostaglandin derivatives are used predominantly to decrease the risk of NSAID-induced mucosal injury. Patients at high risk of NSAID-induced ulcers (ie, elderly patients, those with a history of ulcer or ulcer complication, those also taking corticosteroids) are candidates to take misoprostol 200 μg po qid with food along with their NSAID. Common adverse effects of misoprostol are abdominal cramping and diarrhea, which occur in 30% of patients. Misoprostol is a powerful abortifacient and is absolutely contraindicated in women of childbearing age who are not using contraception.
Sucralfate:
This drug is a sucrose-aluminum complex that dissociates in stomach acid and forms a physical barrier over an inflamed area, protecting it from acid, pepsin, and bile salts. It also inhibits pepsin-substrate interaction, stimulates mucosal prostaglandin production, and binds bile salts. It has no effect on acid output or gastrin secretion. Sucralfate seems to have trophic effects on the ulcerated mucosa, possibly by binding growth factors and concentrating them at an ulcer site. Systemic absorption of sucralfate is negligible. Constipation occurs in 3 to 5% of patients. Sucralfate may bind to other drugs and interfere with their absorption.
Last full review/revision January 2007 by Sidney Cohen, MD
Content last modified February 2012
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