Treatment of Reflux Esophagitis with Blockers, Antacids and Prokinetic Drugs:An Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Abstract

Randomized clinical trials comparing Ho-receptor antagonists, antacids, antacid/ alginate and prokinetic drugs with placebo and other substances were analyzed. Symptomatic improvement has been shown for Ho-receptor antagonists, antacids in very high doses and prokinetic drugs. H₂-receptor antagonists, the present mainstay of reflux therapy, improve esophagitis. but they are insufficient in the treatment of severe esophagitis where omeprazole may become the therapy of choice. The evidence is weak that antacids, antacid/alginate, metoclopramide and domperidone heal esophagitis.

Key Words:

• Alginate
• antacids
• bethanechol
• cimetidine
• cisapride
• domperidone
• gastroesophageal reflux
• metoclopramide
• omeprazole
• randomized clinical trials
• ranitidine