Gastric Drugs for Acid Reflux and GERD : Ulcers and IBS

Aciphex (Rabeprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor, which block a specific enzyme essential to the
production of stomach acid. It is prescribed for the short-term (4 to 8 weeks) treatment of GERD
(gastroesophageal reflux or gastric reflux) and Erosive esophagitis (sores and inflammation in the
esophagus). Aciphex can also be prescribed for the short-term (up to 4 weeks) treatment of duodenal
ulcers and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
GERD can be chronic, therefore Aciphex may continue to be prescribed to prevent a relapse after the
initial course of treatment and to relieve symptoms of GERD such as heartburn.

Albenza (Albendazole) is used to treat infections caused by worms. Albendazole is an anthelmintic that
works by keeping the worm from absorbing sugar (glucose), so that the worm loses energy and dies.
Albendazole is FDA approved to treat Hydatid disease (echinococcosis) and the infection of the nervous
system caused by pork tapeworms (neurocysticercosis). Albendazole is also used in some patients with
the following infections: Capillariasis, Cutaneous larva migrans, common roundworms, hookworms,
pinworms, other tapeworms and whipworms.

Asacol Oral (Mesalamine) is used to treat the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, a type of bowel
disease. It does not cure ulcerative colitis, but it may decrease symptoms such as stomach pain,
diarrhea and rectal bleeding caused by irritation/swelling in the colon/rectum.
Asacol Oral is also used to treat Ulcerated Colon and Crohn's Disease.
Asacol suppositories (which are inserted in the rectum) are used to treat ulcerative proctitis,
(when ulcerative colitis affects only the lowest part of the colon (rectum) it is called ulcerative proctitis),
it does not cure ulcerative proctitis, but it may decrease the number of stools, the amount of mucus or
blood in the stools and the rectal bleeding caused by irritation/swelling of the colon/rectum.
Asacol Enema is used to treat and/or keep in remission inflammatory bowel diseases, such as
ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Asacol Enema liquid works topically on the surface of the
intestinal tract and bowel with which it comes into contact.

Bentyl (Dicyclomine) is an anticholinergic prescribed for the treatment of functional bowel/irritable
bowel syndrome (abdominal pain, accompanied by diarrhea and constipation associated with stress).

Carafate (Sucralfate) is used for the short-term treatment (up to 8 weeks) of an active duodenal ulcer.
Sucralfate is also used for longer-term therapy at a reduced dosage after a duodenal ulcer has healed.
Some doctors also prescribe Sucralfate for ulcers in the mouth and esophagus that develop during
cancer therapy, for digestive tract irritation caused by drugs, for long-term treatment of stomach ulcers
and to relieve pain following tonsil removal.

Colospa (Mebeverine) treats primary irritable colon characterized by persistent diarrhea, alternating
constipation and diarrhoea, abdominal pain and postprandial distension. It also treats secondary irritable
colon, including specific and non-specific inflammatory conditions of the gastro-intestinal tract.
Mebeverine prevents painful muscle spasm by acting directly on the smooth muscle in the gut causing it
to relax and also prevents nerve signals getting through to the muscle in the intestines.