Pediatric Nutrition, Gastroenterology and Child Development

Pediatric Gastrointestinal Drugs

Proton pump inhibitors reduce the production of acid in the stomach. This leaves little acid in the stomach juice so that if stomach juice backs up into the esophagus, it is less irritating. This allows the esophagus to heal. Antacid alkaline suspension is a drug combination that neutralizes gastric acidity and increases the pH of the stomach and duodenal bulb. Aluminium ions inhibit smooth muscle contraction and gastric emptying. Magnesium-aluminium antacid mixtures are used to avoid changes in bowel function. Gastric acid suppressants, in the form of histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs), have transformed the management of dyspepsia, peptic ulceration and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a group of drugs whose main action is a pronounced and long-lasting reduction of gastric acid production. Gastric acid suppressants, in the form of histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) and subsequently proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), have transformed the management of dyspepsia, peptic ulceration and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. PPIs are now among the most commonly prescribed medications worldwide.