2020-04-02
The FDA released a statement saying the U.S. was experiencing its first drug shortage directly related to the coronavirus outbreak. It did not name the drug but said that there was a manufacturing issue with a pharmaceutical ingredient related to a site affected by coronavirus.
Affordable access to chronic disease medication is a serious gap in America’s Medicare system with dangerous implications during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some people will be facing difficult decisions as the country faces a staggering number of lay-offs and applications for employment insurance.
For example, reflux, heartburn or GERD is a common disease. The brand name medications are expensive. What should people do now?
Yes, we have answers for you.
First, order affordable and safe medications from Canada. Canada offers the same drugs at cheaper prices (can be up to 80% off) because the Canadian government, which foots the bill for prescription drugs for certain sectors of the population, will not pay for a drug if a government review board believes the cost is excessive.
Second, consider generic medication instead of brand named one. A generic drug contains the same active ingredients as its branded cousin. Generic medications can cost about 80% to 85% less than the same brand-name drug.
This article will highlight medication options for GERD and include information on generic medications which are available compared with branded products.
What is GERD?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach. Many people, including pregnant women, suffer from heartburn or acid indigestion caused by GERD.
Doctors believe that some people suffer from GERD due to a condition called hiatal hernia. In most cases, GERD can be relieved through diet and lifestyle changes; however, some people may require medication or surgery.
What Is the Treatment for GERD?
Along with lifestyle and diet changes, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription treatments.
Which OTC Meds Treat Heartburn?
There are a variety of heartburn medicines available over the counter to ease symptoms. If these don’t help enough, talk to your doctor about what else might help — in addition to lifestyle changes. Your doctor may want to see if gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is the cause of your symptoms.
Non-prescription medications that are used to treat heartburn include:
Antacids for Heartburn
Antacids neutralize stomach acid to cut down on heartburn, sour stomach, acid indigestion, and stomach upset. Some antacids also contain simethicone, an ingredient that helps your body get rid of gas. Some antacids contain ingredients that can cause diarrhea, such as magnesium, or constipation, such as aluminum.
Examples of antacids include:
Gaviscon Extra Strength Butterscotch
313mg/63mg, Alginic Acid
Product of Canada – Manufactured by Glaxo Smith Kline
Gaviscon Fruit
200mg/40mg, Alginic Acid
Product of Canada – Manufactured by Glaxo Smith Kline
Tums
500mg, 750mg, 1000mg, Calcium (Calcium Carbonate)
Product of Canada – Manufactured by Glaxo Smith Kline
Milk of Magnesia
Alternagel, Amphojel
Gelusil, Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids
Pepto-Bismol
Acid Reducers for Heartburn
There are two types of drugs that cut down on the production of acid in the stomach: histamine antagonists (H2 antagonists or H2 blockers) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
Examples of H2 blockers available over the counter include:
Pepcid AC Maximum Strength
20mg, Famotidine
Product of Canada – Manufactured by McNeil Consumer Healthcare
The proton-pump inhibitors esomeprazole (Nexium 24HR), lansoprazole (Prevacid 24HR), and omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) are sold over-the-counter to treat frequent heartburn (two or more times per week) for 14 days.
These types of medicines are also available as higher-strength prescriptions. Take them according to the directions on the package or as advised by your doctor.
If these medications don’t relieve your symptoms, or if your heartburn symptoms get worse or last for longer than 2 weeks, you should see your doctor.
Combination Antacid/Acid Reducer for Heartburn
Pepcid Complete combines the acid-neutralizing capability of an antacid and the acid-reducing actions of an H2 blocker. Zegerid OTC combines a proton-pump inhibitor with sodium bicarbonate.
Prescription Drugs for Heartburn and Reflux
Frequent heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that occurs more than twice a week usually responds best to heartburn medicine that you take daily rather than just when you feel the heartburn.
Most of the over-the-counter treatments, are not meant to be taken daily for a long time. Check in with your doctor to see if you need a prescription medicine for your heartburn.
Antacids for Heartburn
Alka-Seltzer
324mg, Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Acetylsalicylic Acid
Product of Germany – Manufactured by Bayer
For chronic reflux and heartburn, the doctor may recommend medications to reduce acid in the stomach. These medicines include H2 blockers, which inhibit acid secretion in the stomach.
Histamine-2 (H2) Blockers for Heartburn and Reflux:
1 Famotidine
Famocid
of the U.S. brand Pepcid
20mg, Famotidine
Product of India – Manufactured by Sun Pharma
Famodin
Generic of the U.S. brand Pepcid
20mg, 40mg, Famotidine
Product of Turkey – Manufactured by Sandoz
Famotidine
Generic of the U.S. brand Pepcid
40mg, Famotidine
Product of United Kingdom – Manufactured by Various generic manufacturers
Cimetidine
Cimetidine
Generic of the U.S. brand Tagamet
200mg, 300mg, 400mg, 600mg, Cimetidine
Product of Canada – Manufactured by various generic manufacturers
Cimetidine
Generic of the U.S. brand Tagamet
200mg, 400mg, Cimetidine
Product of United Kingdom – Manufactured by various generic manufacturers
Ranitidine
Zantac
, Ranitidine Hydrochloride
Product of Canada – Manufactured by Glaxo Smith Kline
Ranitidine
Generic of the U.S. brand Zantac
150mg, 300mg, Ranitidine Hydrochloride
Product of Canada – Manufactured by various generic manufacturers
Ranitidine
Generic of the U.S. brand Zantac
150mg, 300mg, Ranitidine Hydrochloride
Product of United Kingdom – Manufactured by various generic manufacturers
Nizatidine
Axid
Brand Product
150mg, 300mg, Nizatidine
Product of Turkey – Manufactured by Actavis
Another type of drug, the proton pump inhibitor (or acid pump), inhibits an enzyme (a protein in the acid-producing cells of the stomach) necessary for acid secretion.
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
Rabeprazole
Pariet
Brand Product, known as Aciphex in the U.S
10mg, Rabeprazole Sodium
Product of United Kingdom – Manufactured by Eisai
Parit
Brand Product, known as Aciphex in the U.S
20mg, Rabeprazole Sodium
Product of India – Manufactured by Glaxo Smith Kline
Rabeprazole
Generic of the U.S. brand Aciphex
10mg, 20mg, Rabeprazole Sodium
Product of Canada – Manufactured by various generic manufacturers
Razo
Generic of the U.S. brand Aciphex
10mg, Rabeprazole Sodium
Product of India – Manufactured by Dr. Reddys
Rabeprazole
Generic of the U.S. brand Aciphex
10mg, 20mg, Rabeprazole Sodium
Product of United Kingdom – Manufactured by various generic manufacturers
Pepcia
Generic of the U.S. brand Aciphex
20mg, Rabeprazole Sodium
Product of India – Manufactured by FDC
Rabeloc
Generic of the U.S. brand Aciphex
20mg, Rabeprazole Sodium
Product of India – Manufactured by Cadila
Esomeprazole (Nexium)
Nexium
Brand Product
20mg, 40mg, Esomeprazole Magnesium
Product of Sweden, United Kingdom – Manufactured by Astrazeneca
Nexium
Brand Product
40mg, Esomeprazole Magnesium
Product of Canada – Manufactured by Astrazeneca
Neksium
Brand Product, known as Nexium in the U.S.
20mg, Esomeprazole Magnesium
Product of India – Manufactured by Hetero Labs Ltd.
Esomeprazole
Generic of the U.S. brand Nexium
20mg, 40mg, Esomeprazole Magnesium
Product of Canada – Manufactured by various generic manufacturers
Izra
Generic of the U.S. brand Nexium
20mg, 40mg, Esomeprazole Magnesium
Product of India – Manufactured by Unichem
Esomeprazole
Generic of the U.S. brand Nexium
20mg, 40mg, Esomeprazole Magnesium
Product of United Kingdom – Manufactured by various generic manufacturers
Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
Prevacid
Brand Product
15mg, 30mg, Lansoprazole
Product of Canada – Manufactured by BGP Pharma Inc
Degastrol
Brand Product, known as Prevacid in the U.S.
Zoton FasTabs
Brand Product ,known as Prevacid SoluTab in the U.S.
15mg, Lansoprazole
Product of United Kingdom – Manufactured by Wyeth Inc.
Lansoprazole
Generic of the U.S. brand Prevacid
15mg, 30mg, Lansoprazole
Product of Canada – Manufactured by various generic manufacturers
Lansazol
Generic of the U.S. brand Prevacid
30mg, Lansoprazole
Product of Turkey – Manufactured by Sandoz
Omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid)
Losec
Brand Product, known as Prilosec in the U.S.
20mg, Omeprazole
Product of Canada – Manufactured by Astrazeneca
Omeprazole
Generic of the U.S. brand Prilosec
10mg, 20mg, Omeprazole
Product of Canada – Manufactured by various generic manufacturers
Pantoprazole (Protonix)
Somac
Brand Product, known as Protonix in the U.S.
20mg, 40mg, Pantoprazole Sodium
Product of Australia – Manufactured by Takeda
Pantoloc
Brand Product, known as Protonix in the U.S.
20mg, 40mg, Pantoprazole Sodium
Product of Canada – Manufactured by Takeda
Pantpas
Brand Product, known as Protonix in the U.S.
40mg, Pantoprazole Sodium
Product of Germany – Manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Pantoprazole
Generic of the U.S. brand Protonix
20mg, 40mg, Pantoprazole Sodium
Product of Canada – Manufactured by Sandoz
Pantosec
Generic of the U.S. brand Protonix
40mg, Pantoprazole Sodium
Product of India – Manufactured by Cipla
Panref
Generic of the U.S. brand Protonix
40mg, Pantoprazole Sodium
Product of Turkey – Manufactured by Bio Farma
Pantocid
Generic of the U.S. brand Protonix
40mg, Pantoprazole Sodium
Product of India – Manufactured by Sun Pharma
Dexlansoprazole
Dexilant
Brand Product
30mg, 60mg, Dexlansoprazole
Product of Canada – Manufactured by Takeda
DDR
Generic of the U.S. brand Dexilant
30mg, 60mg, Dexlansoprazole
Product of India – Manufactured by MSN Lab
Promotility Agents for Heartburn and Reflux
Metoclopramide
Metonia
Generic of the U.S. brand Reglan
5mg, Metoclopramide
Product of Canada – Manufactured by Pendopharm
The specter of global drug shortages looms large amid the coronavirus pandemic. But so far, the supply chain is holding steady and prices are going up—in the generic drug business, at least. COVID-19 could turn out to be a profitable time for the generics industry.
Reference:
webmd.com
censalud.es
healthydebate.ca
howtotreatheartburn.com
fiercepharma.com
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