GERD & Heartburn Support Group

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach. If you are afflicted with GERD or heartburn, join the group and find support.

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rossvic 12/10/2015

I just got diagnose with GERD a month ago, I was prescribe Protonix 40mg once a day by my Primary Physician I had been taking it for a month and Half but I felt that is working a little, I went to the gastro this past week because they need to look at my esophagus more deep and they are doing a Endoscopy on January (I suffered from Health Anxiety and this procedure is getting me very anxious ) I told my gastro that the protonix wasnt working that well and he switched me to Dexilant 60 mg; I read online that they are pretty much the same. My question if anybody had any experience with these medications? If one is better than the other?

Thanks for the advice

sptrout 12/10/2015

They are both PPIs that have similar effects, and side effects. Although similar, people react differently to the many brands of PPIs now on the market both Rx, and OTC. IMO, no reason to expect one brand or another to be better or worse than the other for the general population, but one may work better for you. Never know.

All PPIs, that I know of, have an FDA treatment recommendation of 8 weeks, with an additional 8 weeks if needed. It is best to get off of any PPI as soon as any damage as been cured and then change your eating style to a more stomach friendly plan. This can be very difficult for many people to make the necessary changes, but it is important since PPIs have bad long term side effects.

sptrout 12/10/2015

BTW - - I have taken Dexilant, but not Protonix. For me, Dexilant was much more expensive than others with an odd (to me) release method. Later switched to Nexium for a few weeks before finally weaning off all of them. Diet changes and other bad habits (eating dinner late, for example), fixed my problem.

gramybear 12/10/2015

I have been on both. The Dexilant is just a newer medication. And more expensive. I'm so glad you are getting an endoscopy done. That really should have been done before being put on the medication but then, I'm not a doctor. One thing I do know for certain, and my specialist agreed with me, is that being on any of these meds for more than 6 months starts to cause bone loss. Please talk to your doctor about this. I had silent Acid Reflux, then I developed Barrett's Esophagus which I got rid of by changing my eating drastically. Then I got Gastritis which only flairs when I don't pay attention to what I eat. The procedure is usually done in the hospital on a same day basis and the medication they give to relax you, will do just that. Better than any Xanax! Hugs GB

rossvic 12/11/2015

Thank you sprout and grammy bear. Yes, I know you cannot be on the PPI on a long term that why when I'm done with my endoscopy, I will start to wean off myself from it because I definitely I don't want to be more that 2 months, Yes, I had been modifying my diet to control my GERD and going the natural way to ease my symptoms. Right now, I will stay on Protonix since I'm not thinking to go further than two month.
Thank again for all the advice!

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