Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a group of medications that decreases the amount of acid in the stomach and intestines. Doctors prescribe PPIs to treat people with GERD, ulcers in the stomach or intestine, or other digestive disorders that may cause excess stomach acid.

Learn how they work, the differences between PPIs, and how they are different from H2 Blockers in this article about PPIs.

The types of PPIs are:

Aciphex
Aciphex is used to treat conditions where the stomach produces too much acid, including ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Aciphex is used in combination with other medications to eliminate H. pylori.

Nexium
Nexium is prescribed to treat peptic ulcers, GERD, erosive esophagitis, and Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome. It is also used with other medications to prevent stomach ulcers.

Prevacid
Prevacid is prescribed to treat and prevent peptic ulcers, erosive esophagitis GERD, and Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome.

Prilosec
Prilosec is prescribed to treat peptic ulcers, GERD, and erosive esophagitis.

Protonix
Protonix is prescribed to used to treat GERD, erosive esophagitis associated with GERD, peptic ulcer disease (as part of combination therapy with an antibiotic to eradicate H. Pylori), and hypersecretory disorders including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.