Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduce the production of acid by blocking the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid.
Acid is necessary for the formation of most ulcers in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, and the reduction of acid with PPIs prevents ulcers and allows any ulcers that exist in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum to heal.
Proton pump inhibitors are used for the prevention and treatment of acid-related conditions such as:
They also are used in combination with antibiotics for eradicating Helicobacter Pylori a bacterium that together with acid causes ulcers of the stomach and duodenum.
The absorption into the body of some drugs is affected by the presence of acid in the stomach, and because PPIs reduce acid in the stomach, they may affect the absorption of these drugs. Specifically, PPIs reduce the absorption and concentration in the blood of Ketoconazole and increase the absorption and concentration of Digoxin. This may lead to reduced effectiveness of ketoconazole and an increase in digoxin toxicity.
Proton pump inhibitors can reduce the break-down of some drugs by the liver and lead to an increase in their concentration in the blood. Omeprazole is more likely than the other PPIs to reduce the break-down of drugs by the liver. For example, omeprazole may increase the concentration in the blood of Diazepam, Warfarin and Phenytoin.
