DRUGS THAT REDUCE GASTRIC SECRETION, THE NEED AND PROSPECTS FOR THEIR USE

The most common treatment for GERD is still medical therapy.Although interest in GERD drug development has decreased in recent years, mainlybecause most proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been converted to generic andover-the-counter compounds, there are still many unmet needs in GERD. Potenthistamine type 2 receptor antagonists, extended release PPIs, PPI combinations,potassium-competitive acid blockers, prokinetics, mucosal protectants, andesophageal pain modulators have been the focus of drug development. It is likelythat these compounds will be niched for specific unmet needs in GERD rather thancompeting with the currently available anti-reflux therapies. Due to their stronginhibition of gastric acid output, PPIs are frequently used to treat acid-relatedconditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and to potentially prevent ulcerscaused by aspirin or NSAIDs. Like other medications, PPIs can have clinicallysignificant side effects, however these are rarely noticed during or after treatment.PPIs are therefore thought to be clinically helpful and reasonably safe. AlthoughPPIs' positive effects for functional gastrointestinal illnesses and primary preventionof drug-related gastroduodenal damage have not been thoroughly established, theyhave recently become often prescribed to patients with these conditions. Onlypatients who will have a significant clinical benefit should be given PPIs, and highquality prospective studies should be conducted to further examine any negative sideeffects.