8 Medications Treatment To Acid Reflux - 5
7. Agents That Protect The Mucus Lining (Sucralfate)
Sucralfate (Carafate) protects the mucus lining in the gastrointestinal tract. It seems to work by sticking to an ulcer crater and protecting it from damage due to stomach acid and pepsin. It may be helpful for maintenance therapy in people with mild to moderate GERD. Other than constipation, which occurs in 2.2% of patients, the drug has few side effects. Sucralfate interacts with a wide variety of drugs, however, including warfarin, phenytoin, and tetracycline.
8. Anti-Spasm Drugs To Prevent Acid And Non-Acid Reflux
Most drugs used for GERD have no effect on non-acid reflux, such as back-up of bile. Baclofen, known as a gamma-amino butyric acid agonist, is commonly used to reduce muscle spasms. Investigators are now showing that is can reduce both acid and non-acid reflux episodes (as much as 70% in one study) and to increase LES pressure, an important factor for preventing back up.