overview
Proton pump inhibitors are drugs usually prescribed for abdominal conditions that have to do with symptoms of overproduction of acid like peptic ulcer disease, gastro-esophegeal reflux disease (GERD) and heartburn. Consumerreports.org cites proton pump inhibitors as one of the most popular prescribed drugs in the U.S. Nexium alone is reported to have racked up about $48 billion in sales. The popularity of proton pump inhibitors is in their relatively low incidence of adverse effects and superior effectiveness over other drugs used in the same conditions. Examples of proton pump inhibitors include Pantoprazole, omeprazole, lansoprazole and esomeprazole.
How proton pump inhibitors work
Gastric acid secretion takes place in the parietal cells of the stomach. Secretion is stimulated by local signals such as the presence of food in the stomach. There are also nervous signals, via the vagus nerve, to the stomach to secrete acid, which is the pathway for stress and other emotional inputs. Both pathways ultimately end up at the last step of activation of a mechanism called the proton pump that generates the acid ions secreted by the cells.
Proton pump inhibitors form bonds with the proton pump mechanism, effectively crippling it. The cells have to practically build new pumps to be able to resume production of acid. Thus, proton pump inhibitors are able to reduce acid production from any stimulus and maintain that inhibition over a longer time than any other class of drugs so far in use. Their specificity also narrows their field of effects, reducing their side effects.
Use of proton pump inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors are usually prescribed in a once daily format and formulated as coated tablets to be swallowed, not chewed or broken. They are indicated for use in gastro-esophageal reflux disease, drug induced gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. The American Association of Family practitioners cites a superior performance of proton pump inhibitors over other medications in all these indications. Proton pump inhibitors shorten healing time and reduce relapses.
