digestive disorders
Medications for the Treatment of Stomach Acid
Proton Pump Inhibitors
The proton pump is the name for the chemical process by which the stomach secretes acid. Proton pump inhibitors are the most potent of the medications that reduce acid production. Proton pump inhibitors promote healing of ulcers in a greater percentage of people in a shorter period of time than do histamine-2 (H2) blockers and thus are typically preferred to H2 blockers for treating ulcers. They are used for severe forms of gastritis (such as when bleeding is present) and for severe GERD. Proton pump inhibitors are also very useful in treating conditions that cause excessive stomach acid secretion, such as Gastrinoma . Proton pump inhibitors can be given by mouth or by vein (IV). These drugs are usually very well tolerated but may cause diarrhea, constipation, and headache. Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors may cause reduced absorption of B12, iron, magnesium, and calcium. 