Ulcer medication ppi (proton pump inhibitor), what does it do?

What is medicine proton pump inhibitor ?

Proton pump inhibitor (PPIs) are a class of drugs that act directly on stomach cells to reduce acid production. There are five types of drugs included in this group, namely omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole, and esomeprazole.

Omeprazole was the first drug approved for clinical use in 1988 in Europe and two years later in America. Omeprazole has quickly matched the fame of H2 drugs blockers (cimetidine, ranitidine) in treating symptoms related to acid reflux.

In 1996, omeprazole under the brand name Losec became the best-selling drug in the world. As of 2004, more than 800 million patients worldwide have been treated with this drug.

The success story of omeprazole has not left competitors standing still. A new line of PPI drugs has been developed by different pharmaceutical industries, namely lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, esomeprazole, and dexlansoprazole.

After all, is any one better than the other? In 2003, the results of a meta-analysis study comparing various PPI drugs were published. As a result, there was no significant difference in the treatment of GERD and bacterial infections H. pylori .

Even so, esomeprazole is slightly superior to omeprazole. This is because esomeprazole only uses its active form, whereas omeprazole uses a mixture of active and inactive ingredients.

Its use for the digestive system

Drug class proton pump inhibitor generally used for health problems related to excess stomach acid production. However, the PPIs' usefulness doesn't stop there.

In general, PPIs are used to treat and / or prevent the following conditions.

Ulcers in the stomach and duodenum.
Reducing the rise of stomach acid into the esophagus which can cause pain and a burning sensation in the gut (heartburn). This is the main symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Bacterial infection H. pylori which can cause stomach ulcers.
Treatment and prevention of ulcers caused by anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs).
In other conditions that need to be treated by reducing the production of stomach acid.
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which is a rare condition when there is a tumor in the pancreas. This tumor, called gastrinoma, produces a lot of the hormone gastrin, which triggers excess stomach acid production.
Treatment therapy in recurrent GERD, especially in esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) levels II and III.
GERD complications such as esophageal strictures , Barrett's esophagus, and symptoms outside of the esophagus or chest pain.

How PPI drugs work

Gastric cells naturally produce stomach acid to aid in the digestive process. However, excess stomach acid production can cause inflammation and irritation of the stomach, esophagus, and intestines.

PPI type ulcer drugs work by inhibiting the chemical reaction between hydrogen, potassium, and the enzyme adenosine triphosphatase. This system, also known as the "proton pump", is present in the cells that make up the stomach wall, which produce acid.

The obstruction of the proton pump prevents stomach acid from getting out into the lumen layer of the stomach. That way, stomach acid production decreases drastically so that the symptoms of indigestion are also reduced.

Thanks to the way they work, PPI drugs are not only effective for relieving GERD. This drug is also relied upon to treat stomach and intestinal ulcers (peptic ulcer disease) as well as esophageal damage caused by exposure to stomach acid.

Types of drugs available

Drug proton pump inhibitor consisting of prescription and non-prescription drugs. In many countries, omeprazole can be purchased over the counter without a doctor's prescription. However, on the packaging it is written that the maximum usage is 14 days and is only for indication heartburn or ulcer.

Several brands of lansoprazole and pantoprazole are also available over the counter. Meanwhile, rabeprazole can only be obtained by prescription. The same is true if you are unsuitable for using non-prescription drugs

If non-prescription drugs don't work, your doctor can prescribe a prescription PPI drug. You also need to stop taking the drug before one month. Immediately consult a doctor so you can get other treatment options.

PPI drug side effects

It could be said that proton pump inhibitor is an ulcer medication that is very well tolerated and safe. Even so, PPIs are no different from other medicines that have a risk of side effects.

The side effects that usually arise are:

constipation,
diarrhea,
headache,
nausea or vomiting,
fart frequently, and
stomach ache.

Although relatively safe, proton pump inhibitor may not be suitable for some. Even omeprazole, which is considered safe, should not be consumed by people with liver disease, pregnant women, and nursing mothers.

In addition, it should be noted that the drastic decrease in stomach acid production can facilitate the proliferation of bacteria. Examples of these bacteria are Clostridium difficile causes diarrhea and pneumonia-causing bacteria in the lungs.

Long-term use of PPIs can also interfere with the absorption of several nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, vitamin B12, and iron. Therefore, the use of PPI drugs should always be carried out under a doctor's supervision.