Question Title: Can't tolerate meds

Dear Betty,

I’m sorry to hear that you are having such difficulty with medications that treat gastroesophageal reflux disease. Assuming that your diagnosis is correct, your options seem to be as follows: 1) try dietary and lifestyle modification alone 2) try prescription strength cimetidine (Tagamet) or famotidine (Pepcid) in addition to anti-reflux measures 3) try a low dose of omeperazole (Prilosec) or lansoprazole (Prevacid) and see if you are able to tolerate those in addition to anti-reflux measures 4) try a medicine called cisapride (Propulsid)-(alone or in combination with other previously mentioned drugs)-however, one of the side effects of this medication is diarrhea and should not be used in patients with underlying cardiac dysrythmias or in patients on certain drugs (in addition to anti-reflux measures) 5) consider anti-reflux surgery.

This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.

If you would like to be seen at our institution please call 1-800-653-6568, our Referring Physicians’ Office and make an appointment to see Dr. Muszkat, one of our experts in Gastroenterology .

HFHSM.D.-ym
*Keywords: gastroesophageal reflux disease, options