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• Dr.Tugume Elias
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• 05 July, 2024

Proton pumps and H2 blockers.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 receptor antagonists (H2 blockers) are two classes of medications used to reduce stomach acid production, but they work through different mechanisms.

1. Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs):
• PPIs are drugs that block the action of proton pumps in the stomach's lining. Proton pumps are responsible for producing stomach acid by pumping hydrogen ions into the stomach. By inhibiting these pumps, PPIs reduce the production of acid, leading to decreased acidity in the stomach.
• Examples of PPIs include omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), pantoprazole (Protonix), and rabeprazole (Aciphex).
• PPIs are commonly prescribed for conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
2. H2 Receptor Antagonists (H2 Blockers):
• H2 blockers work by inhibiting the action of histamine on the histamine H2 receptors found on the stomach's parietal cells. When histamine binds to these receptors, it stimulates the production of stomach acid. By blocking histamine's action, H2 blockers reduce stomach acid secretion.
• Examples of H2 blockers include ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet), and nizatidine (Axid).
• H2 blockers are also used to treat conditions like GERD, peptic ulcers, and gastritis.

While both PPIs and H2 blockers reduce stomach acid production, PPIs are generally more potent and provide longer-lasting acid suppression compared to H2 blockers. PPIs are often preferred for treating more severe acid-related conditions, while H2 blockers may be used for milder cases or as a supplement to PPI therapy in some cases.

Compiled by Dr. K.T