english.prescrire.org > Spotlight > Archives : 2009 > In the December issue of Prescrire International:Pantoprazole in gastroesophageal reflux

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In the December issue of Prescrire International:
Pantoprazole in gastroesophageal reflux

FREE DOWNLOAD Pantoprazole, available without a prescription for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, has a better risk-benefit balance than H2 receptor antagonists, but should not be used by pregnant women.
Full text available for free download.

Summary

  • When an adult patient presents with troublesome symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, the first measure is to try to rule out the role of food or drugs and to recommend lifestyle modifications.
  • Some clinical signs call for further investigation.
  • When drug therapy is envisaged for a patient with no alarm symptoms, antacids should be tried first, as "on demand" therapy during painful episodes.
  • Pantoprazole was found to be foetotoxic in experimental animals and its use should be avoided during pregnancy.
  • For adults aged under 50 who have persistent symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux despite lifestyle measures and antacids, non-prescription pantoprazole has a better risk-benefit balance than H2 receptor antagonists.

©Prescrire December 2009

"Pantoprazole available without a prescription"  Prescrire Int 2009; 18 (104): 250 (pdf, free).

 

 
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