What are the most common prescription medications used to treat GERD?

Question: What are the most common prescription medications used to treat GERD?

Answer: The most common prescription medications used for the treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Proton pump inhibitors are acid reducers. They suppress stomach acid, shutting off almost all acid production, which can help stop the irritation in the esophagus and allow the damaged tissue to heal. Doctors prescribe PPIs to treat people with heartburn (acid reflux), ulcers of the stomach or intestine, or excess stomach acid (Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome).


Proton pump inhibitors include:

Aciphex
Aciphex decreases the amount of acid produced in your stomach. It is used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or heartburn), and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid production.

Nexium
Nexium decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach. It is used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), erosive esophagitis, and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid production.

Prevacid, Prevacid SoluTab
Prevacid decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach. It is used to treat and prevent stomach and intestinal ulcers, erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from stomach acid), and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid.

Prilosec
Prilosec decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach. It is used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid production.

Protonix
Protonix decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach. It is used to treat damage to the esophagus associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid production.