Medscape: Baclofen may reduce GERD

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

DOes anyone get the Medscape daily reports?

I found this today and it's intriguing.

April 21, 2003-Baclofen acutely reduces symptoms and episodes of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and raises gastric pH, according to the results of a study published in the April issue of Gut. Symptomatic improvement continued for the four weeks of the study, which suggests that this may be a viable alternative treatment for GERD. Baclofen is approved by the Food and Drug Administration, but not for this indication.

"In normal human subjects and in patients with [GERD], recent studies have shown that baclofen reduces the rate of transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations, the rate of gastro-oesophageal acid reflux episodes, and increases basal lower oesophageal sphincter pressure," write A. F. Ciccaglione and L. Marzio from the University G d' Annunzio, in Chieti-Pescara, Italy. "Baclofen therefore has been proposed as potentially useful in the treatment of [GERD]."

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/452464

[PennyLane, RN]

I couldn't get to the article without having to register, but I am sure interested in that as I suffer from pretty severe GERD. I've been on every medication there is for almost 3 years now, and I still have trouble with it.

So does this mean dr's can prescribe it now for GERD, or does the drug have to go through more testing before that can be done?

[PennyLane, RN]

Ah well, guess it'll have to be surgery for me.

I couldn't get to that link for some reason, but I will check out the site, thanks!