Updated March 07, 2014.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a group of medications that decreases the amount of acid in the stomach and intestines. Doctors prescribe PPIs to treat people with GERD, ulcers in the stomach or intestine, or other digestive disorders that may cause excess stomach acid.

Below are some of the common questions about Proton Pump Inhibitors.

• How do Proton Pump Inhibitors work?
  Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are sometimes used in the treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). They work on the mechanisms in the stomach that produce acid.

• What are Proton Pump Inhibitors used for?
  While PPIs are used most often for the treatment of GERD symptoms, they are also used in the treatment of other digestive disorders.
• Are there differences between Proton Pump Inhibitors?
  While all the PPIs are similar in how they treat symptoms, there are differences in how they are metabolized and the length of time they are effective.
• How are Proton Pump Inhibitors different from H2 blockers?
  Both Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 Blockers suppress gastric acid secretion. They are, however, different in how they do this.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) include Aciphex (raberprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole), Prilosec (omeprazole), Protonix (pantoprazole) and Dexilant (dexlansoprazole).

For more information on these medications, and others, please go to Drugs A to Z.

For more information on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), you can find information at the following resources:

• What is GERD
• Symptoms of GERD
• Diagnostic Tests for GERD

• Complications of long-term GERD.

Children and GERD:

• Symptoms of GERD in Infants
• Symptoms of GERD in Children
• Symptoms of GERD in Teens
• Diagnosing GERD in Infants
• Diagnosing GERD in Children
• Diagnosing GERD in Teens
• Treating GERD in Infants
• Treating GERD in Children
• Treating GERD in Teens