DRUGS THAT REDUCE GASTRIC SECRETION, THE NEED AND PROSPECTS FOR THEIR USE
Keywords:
Heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux, erosive esophagitis, proton pump inhibitors, gastric acid, ulcer.Abstract
The most common treatment for GERD is still medical therapy. Although interest in GERD drug development has decreased in recent years, mainly because most proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been converted to generic and over-the-counter compounds, there are still many unmet needs in GERD. Potent histamine type 2 receptor antagonists, extended release PPIs, PPI combinations, potassium-competitive acid blockers, prokinetics, mucosal protectants, and esophageal pain modulators have been the focus of drug development. It is likely that these compounds will be niched for specific unmet needs in GERD rather than
competing with the currently available anti-reflux therapies. Due to their strong inhibition of gastric acid output, PPIs are frequently used to treat acid-related conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and to potentially prevent ulcers
caused by aspirin or NSAIDs.
