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Suggest Medication For GERD
Question: I suffered from GERD and also have a Hiatel hernia...doctors placed me on nexium and I've taken it for probably 15 yrs. When I ask doctors about another solution, it's always a choice of esophical cancer from acid reflux or stomach cancer from PPI's. If I could get the same results from Pepsid (for example with little negative side effects)- it would seem better than low magnesium, calcium bone problems and stomach cancer. RECOMMENDATION?
Doctors seem to prisoners to Insurance Companies and statistics that individuals may not necessarily reside in those norms. I'm 71, fairly active and healthy, but I've gained a lot of weight over the past couple of years and feel stiff and sluggish to boot. Recently had an endoscopy but the doctoir said more about he saw what he'd expect rather than details. I believe he removed a small pollip from both my colon and my stomach. Haven't heard anything about a malignancy.
Doctors seem to prisoners to Insurance Companies and statistics that individuals may not necessarily reside in those norms. I'm 71, fairly active and healthy, but I've gained a lot of weight over the past couple of years and feel stiff and sluggish to boot. Recently had an endoscopy but the doctoir said more about he saw what he'd expect rather than details. I believe he removed a small pollip from both my colon and my stomach. Haven't heard anything about a malignancy.
Brief Answer:
Pepcid is safer then PPI(Nexium).
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.
I've gone through your details and I appreciate your concerns,
While PPIs shut down the proton pumps in the stomach, H2 blockers (Pepcid)work by blocking the histamine receptors in acid-producing cells in the stomach.
Advantage with Nexium is that they have a delayed onset of action while H2 blockers begin working within an hour but Nexium works for a longer period mostly up to 24 hours, and the effects may last up to 3 days while H2 blockers, however, usually only work up to 12 hours, therefore, Pepcid would be required in twice daily dosage for optimal action.
Secondly, Proton pump inhibitors result in a greater suppression of acid than H2 blockers. This is because there are other stimuli, in addition to histamine which stimulates the production of acid and H2 blockers only block histamine. So better results are obtained when the patient is in PPi’s making it drug of choice in patients with GERD and acid disorders.
As per safety is concerned though both are very safe yet side effects related to calcium and magnesium are encountered less frequently with H2 blockers.
So, if you want you can switch over to Pepcid twice daily for 10 days and observe how your body respond to it.
Hope I was helpful.
Thanks!
Pepcid is safer then PPI(Nexium).
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.
I've gone through your details and I appreciate your concerns,
While PPIs shut down the proton pumps in the stomach, H2 blockers (Pepcid)work by blocking the histamine receptors in acid-producing cells in the stomach.
Advantage with Nexium is that they have a delayed onset of action while H2 blockers begin working within an hour but Nexium works for a longer period mostly up to 24 hours, and the effects may last up to 3 days while H2 blockers, however, usually only work up to 12 hours, therefore, Pepcid would be required in twice daily dosage for optimal action.
Secondly, Proton pump inhibitors result in a greater suppression of acid than H2 blockers. This is because there are other stimuli, in addition to histamine which stimulates the production of acid and H2 blockers only block histamine. So better results are obtained when the patient is in PPi’s making it drug of choice in patients with GERD and acid disorders.
As per safety is concerned though both are very safe yet side effects related to calcium and magnesium are encountered less frequently with H2 blockers.
So, if you want you can switch over to Pepcid twice daily for 10 days and observe how your body respond to it.
Hope I was helpful.
Thanks!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Seems like a safe answer, but didn't really confirm or respond to recent studies and evidence that PPI's are responsible for increased heart conditions and stomach cancer.
I was looking for some strong recommendations since it's my life I'm talking about and it seems doctor-patient relationships have turned into risk management for the doctor and not the patient!
I was looking for some strong recommendations since it's my life I'm talking about and it seems doctor-patient relationships have turned into risk management for the doctor and not the patient!
Brief Answer:
follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
I've got what you're asking.
As per the cardiac risk is concerned standard text says that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients exposed to PPIs to have 1 fold increased association with myocardial infarction while H2 blockers, were not associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
Practically in most of the countries, proton pump inhibitors are prescribed as one of the most common drugs. Even in the USA, Omeprazole is just over the counter. Practically speaking if it would be causing cardiac risks in normal population would it still be considered as an OTC medication?
Proton pump inhibitors are among one of the safest medicine available and used worldwide.
As per the query regarding Stomach cancer, the risk of developing gastric cancer in H.pylori negative group is believed to be extremely low but is possible. Whenever we treat a patient we always compare pros to cons as the side effect is almost always there with every medication available in medical science. Even drinking too much water can cause water toxicity. So yes, I agree that studies have shown that PPI’s can increase the risk of cancer and heart attacks yet I would say that the practicality these cases are really insignificant.
However as explained earlier H2 blockers are much safer then PPI’s so if your body responds to them you can switch to H2 blockers otherwise you can continue taking Nexium it's very safe.
If GERD is not treated properly it would cause metaplasia which in-turn increases the risk of adenocarcinoma by 10%. On the other hand, taking PPI’s for a decade increase the risk of Myocardial infarction by 1%(that too in studies).
Hope I provided you with the answer.
Please feel free to follow up.
I would be happy to provide you with professional suggestions.
Regards!
follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
I've got what you're asking.
As per the cardiac risk is concerned standard text says that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients exposed to PPIs to have 1 fold increased association with myocardial infarction while H2 blockers, were not associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
Practically in most of the countries, proton pump inhibitors are prescribed as one of the most common drugs. Even in the USA, Omeprazole is just over the counter. Practically speaking if it would be causing cardiac risks in normal population would it still be considered as an OTC medication?
Proton pump inhibitors are among one of the safest medicine available and used worldwide.
As per the query regarding Stomach cancer, the risk of developing gastric cancer in H.pylori negative group is believed to be extremely low but is possible. Whenever we treat a patient we always compare pros to cons as the side effect is almost always there with every medication available in medical science. Even drinking too much water can cause water toxicity. So yes, I agree that studies have shown that PPI’s can increase the risk of cancer and heart attacks yet I would say that the practicality these cases are really insignificant.
However as explained earlier H2 blockers are much safer then PPI’s so if your body responds to them you can switch to H2 blockers otherwise you can continue taking Nexium it's very safe.
If GERD is not treated properly it would cause metaplasia which in-turn increases the risk of adenocarcinoma by 10%. On the other hand, taking PPI’s for a decade increase the risk of Myocardial infarction by 1%(that too in studies).
Hope I provided you with the answer.
Please feel free to follow up.
I would be happy to provide you with professional suggestions.
Regards!
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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