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Suggest Treatment For GERD

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Posted on Mon, 9 May 2016
Question: Previously diagnosed with GERD, but symptoms subsided for years. Now, daily symptoms present throughout much of the day. Little results from OTC Prilosec or Zantac. Are there prescription strength medications that would help?
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Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
no...

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

drugs like prilosec are the most potent drugs for GERD. Zantac is a less potent alternative. If you can't control the symptoms with those then you should do an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to exclude other causes like esophagitis. Watching your diet is essential. Avoid to have a full stomach and to lie down right after eating. Avoid too much coffee and citrus drinks, chocolate, etc. I'm sure you're familiar with these instructions from the past. Finally you may need to elevate the head of the bed a little to avoid causing reflux during the night.

Some patients benefit from drugs like metoclopramide or domperidone which increase gastrointestinal motility and empty the stomach sooner, but if your symptoms are almost always present you'd better do the endoscopy as soon as possible.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3819 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For GERD

Brief Answer: no... Detailed Answer: Hello, drugs like prilosec are the most potent drugs for GERD. Zantac is a less potent alternative. If you can't control the symptoms with those then you should do an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to exclude other causes like esophagitis. Watching your diet is essential. Avoid to have a full stomach and to lie down right after eating. Avoid too much coffee and citrus drinks, chocolate, etc. I'm sure you're familiar with these instructions from the past. Finally you may need to elevate the head of the bed a little to avoid causing reflux during the night. Some patients benefit from drugs like metoclopramide or domperidone which increase gastrointestinal motility and empty the stomach sooner, but if your symptoms are almost always present you'd better do the endoscopy as soon as possible. I hope you find my comments helpful! You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information. Kind Regards!