Clinical Medicine Insights: Gastroenterology

Current treatment guidelines for acid-related diseases (ARDs) recommend first-line treatment with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to reduce gastric acid production. PPIs are indicated in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (reflux esophagitis, nonerosive reflux disease), peptic ulcer (gastric and duodenal ulcer, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-associated ulcer, bleeding ulcer), functional dyspepsia, and in association with Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy when needed. Currently, PPIs (omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole and esomeprazole) are widely used for the treatment of ARDs. All 5 PPIs are effective. However, there are differences in PPI pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles that might influence their clinical utility. Rabeprazole is a useful option for the treatment of acid-related diseases due to its rapid onset of acid inhibition and few drug interactions.