Aciphex top GERD med in latest Treato survey

NEW YORK - Treato, a leading consumer healthcare website, announced its first annual list of top Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) medications based on consumer health conversations happening online. 

 

This ranking is part of a new series of drug rankings from the company. 

 

GERD medications, also commonly known as acid reflux medications, are among some of the best-selling medications of all time. According to the National Institutes of Health, it is estimated that up to 20% of the U.S. population is affected by GERD. There are several different types of GERD medications that work to stop stomach acid that flows back into the esophagus and causes discomfort. 

 

Noticeably off the list are antacids, a type of GERD medication that neutralizes stomach acid that once dominated this category. Instead Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) and Histamine Blockers (H2 Blockers), which reduce the creation of acid in the stomach, dominated the list.

 

An in-depth review by Treato also found consumers are still actively discussing prescription-only GERD drugs, despite the wide availability of over-the-counter versions on the market, as three of the five top drugs are available only by prescription. 

 

Eisai's prescription-only AcipHex topped the list based on overall satisfaction. When discussing AcipHex online, consumers are frequently discussing being prescribed the medication after serious GERD issues that ended up in hospitalization. Similar to AcipHex, consumers talking about Carafate, another prescription-only GERD medication, discussed being prescribed the medication after a major surgery or procedure like an endoscopy. 

 

Zantac, the top OTC GERD medication to make the list, is most frequently being discussed by women who are pregnant and experiencing heartburn, particularly at night. Interestingly, missing from the list is top-selling GERD medication Nexium. According to Medscape, Nexium was the eighth-highest selling drug in 2015 out of all categories.