[PPI: new strategies for GERD]

Abstract

Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is the first-line drug for GERD and is far more effective than H2-receptor antagonist (H2RA). H2RA suppresses mainly nocturnal gastric acid secretion from parietal cells, while PPI blocks acid production at nighttime as well as daytime when acid refluxes often occur. PPI-test is a therapeutic diagnosis and can reliably distinguish GERD from other diseases presenting similar symptoms. Initial therapy of GERD should be started with a full dose of PPI. However, most of the GERD patients need maintenance therapy. The maintenance dose of PPI should be individualized with a titration technique ('New Step-down therapy'). A small number of GERD patients resistant to PPI therapy may be due to nocturnal acid breakthrough (NAB) or rapid metabolism of PPI (extensive metabolizer for CYP2C19).