Severe acid reflux

Long-term use of antacids can disrupt the body chemistry. Continually reducing the amount of acid in the gastric system can, over time, cause it to produce more acid, resulting in another round of acid reflux, also known as acid rebound. But too little acid can be a problem as well. Stomach acid helps fight against substances that could harm the body and can leave the stomach more susceptible to infections.

Proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, are the most powerful medications in the group of acid reflux treatments and overuse can cause a host of problems. For starters, the drugs can provoke underlying stomach disorders, including hyperplasia, an abnormal increase in the number of the organ cells. Another issue with PPIs surfaced just recently. Last month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to consumers and health care professionals that long term use of PPIs, both over-the-counter and prescription brands, may be linked to an increased risk of hip, wrist and spine fractures.

Perhaps the most alarming reaction to a type of acid reflux medication is a serious involuntary movement disorder known as Tardive Dyskinesia. The debilitating condition has been linked to the prescription heartburn drug metoclopramide, most commonly known by the brand name Reglan. The drug now carries a black box warning that long term use of Reglan can significantly increase one’s risk of developing the condition.

While these drugs can treat the bothersome symptoms of acid reflux, they are recommended only for short-term use. And unfortunately, once they are discontinued, as many as 80 percent of reflux-sufferers say their symptoms return within six months.

SOURCE: Reglan Side Effects › Acid reflux drugs provide temporary relief but can cause adverse reaction

One popular choice in acid reflux treatment are pills known as Proton-Pump Inhibitors. “The dark side of Proton-Pump Inhibitors, because we’ve used so much of them for such a long period of time, is beginning to emerge,” says Dr. Henri Roca of LSU Health Sciences Center’s Family and Integrative Medicine during a interview with WWL-TV in New Orleans.

Proton-Pump Inhibitors are available both by prescription, such as Nexium, and over-the-counter, as Prevacid, Omeprazole and Prilosec. These drugs are recommended for use for seven or eight weeks. When someone takes them for 12 weeks or longer, problems arise.

When taken long term, Proton-Pump Inhibitors can inhibit the body from properly absorbing calcium, which puts long-term users at high risk for osteoporosis. It also interferes with the body’s defense mechanisms by clearing up bacteria that benefits the stomach and intestines, thus contributing to more gastrointestinal infections. And recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the combined use of the heart medication Plavix with Proton-Pump Inhibitors after tests showed that the Proton-Pump Inhibitors reduced the effectiveness of Plavix.

Another type of medication used to treat heartburn symptoms available only by prescription is Reglan (metoclopramide). Again, long-term (12 weeks or more) use of Reglan can have serious consequences. Early this year the FDA issued a black box warning on Reglan and other metoclopramide medications after numerous cases of a serious movement disorder known as Tardive Dyskinesia had been linked to use of Reglan. Tardive Dyskinesia can be debilitating and the symptoms may not stop even after the medication has been discontinued.

Doctors advise patients to talk with the doctors about their symptoms and any medications they may be taking. According to Dr. Roca, your symptoms may be caused by a number of ailments, and there may be safer and more effective ways to treat your heartburn symptoms.

SOURCE: Reglan Side Effects › Long term use of heartburn drugs can be dangerous

In a Phase IIb trial, Addex’s ADX10059 increased performed well in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The four-week trial, which comprised 103 patients, showed ADX10059 significantly increased the number of symptom-free days for patients that took the drug compared to patients on a placebo. Patients involved in the trial had previously responded well to a group of drugs widely used for combating acid reflux called proton pump inhibitors, (PPIs).

The trial also showed that the medication was well tolerated among those in the trial. While adverse events were reported more often among those taking ADX10059 than the placebo group, the company reports that the vast majority of events were mild and none were described as severe. Participants who took ADX10059 also indicated a reduction in sleep disturbance compared to those in the placebo group, according to a patient questionnaire.

Addex says it has also completed patient recruitment for another trial of ADX10059, which combines the medication with PPIs. Results on that trial are expected in January 2010.

The results set Addex up to license the drug to a larger pharmaceutical company, which is anticipated sometime in 2010. Some estimates say a partnership could generate as much as $1.25 billion in annual sales.

Source: Addex Pharmaceuticals

SOURCE: Reglan Side Effects › New heartburn medication meets expectations in drug trial

The study, conducted by researchers from Copenhagen University, involved 120 healthy participants who took either an inactive placebo or 40 mg of the PPI drugs daily for three months. Each patient filled out a Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale weekly to gauge symptoms. Researchers found that a greater percentage of people taking the PPI experienced at least one worrisome acid-related symptom during the treatment than those taking a placebo.

“We find it highly likely that the symptoms observed in this trial are caused by rebound acid hypersecretion and that this phenomenon is equally relevant in patients treated long term with PPIs. If rebound acid hypersecretion induces acid-related symptoms, this might lead to PPI dependency. Our results justify the speculation that PPI dependency could be one of the explanations for the rapidly and continuously increasing use of PPIs,” said Dr. Christian Reimer, the study’s lead author.

These findings show that safe treatment options for people suffering from GERD are limited. Earlier this year, Reglan (metoclopramide), another treatment for the condition, received a black box warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after numerous reports that people taking Reglan began to suffer suffer from a serious, involuntary movement disorder known as Tardive Dyskinesia. The black box warning advises that the medication not be taken for more than 12 weeks as the risk of contracting the disorder increases to about 20 percent among those taking the drug long term.

Experts advise suffers of GERD should consult with their physicians to find the safest treatment options.

SOURCE: Reglan Side Effects › Heartburn, GERD treatments linked to serious complications