Pharmacotherapy

If lifestyle modifications do not adequately control the symptoms of GORD, or are unacceptable to the patient, then drug therapy should be initiated. Fortunately, most patients, particularly those with mild disease, can be effectively managed with a combination of lifestyle modifications and therapy with simple antacids and/or alginate reflux suppressants, and do not require more therapy with H2-receptor antagonists (H2-RAs) or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

The different therapeutic options available for the treatment of GORD exert their effects in different ways (Figure 1).

Modes of action of GORD therapies
FIGURE 1 – Modes of action
of GORD therapies
(click to enlarge)
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