Gastroesophageal reflux disease: Important considerations for the older patients

Table 2 Noninvasive treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease¹

Lifestyle modification

Elevation of head of bed

Avoid eating within 3 h of bedtime

Avoid tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, fatty food, peppermint

Avoid harmful medications if possible, such as NSAIDs, beta blockers

Calcium-channel blockers, theophylline, potassium tablets, bisphosphonate

Medications

Antacids

Motility agents:

Metoclopramide, erythromycin, bethanechol, cisapride, GABA B-receptor agonists

H2 receptor antagonists:

Cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, ranitidine

PPI agents1:

Esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, dexlansoprazole

GABA: Gamma-aminobutyric acid B-receptor agonist; NSAIDS: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; H₂: histamine₂; PPI: proton pump inhibitor;

¹Most often successful.