An Overview of Proton Pump Inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitors are the standard of treatment for acid-related disorders. These disorders include gastroesophageal reflux disease and its complications (i.e., erosive esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus), peptic ulcer disease, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and idiopathic hypersecretion. Proton pump inhibitors are also successfully used for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. There are currently five proton pump inhibitors approved by the Food and Drug Administration and available in the United States. These are omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium). This review discusses the history of proton pump inhibitors and compares and evaluates the pharmacology including mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, administration, dosage, and drug interactions. Information regarding therapeutic indications, clinical efficacy, short- and long-term side effects, and cost is also presented. A case presentation offers an analysis of the use of proton pump inhibitors in individualized patient care.