What class of medication is typically ordered for a patient experiencing acid reflux?

Proton pump inhibitors are the class of medication typically ordered for a patient experiencing acid reflux due to their mechanism of action and effectiveness. These medications work by inhibiting the hydrogen-potassium ATPase enzyme system in the gastric parietal cells, which reduces gastric acid secretion. This not only helps to alleviate the symptoms of acid reflux—such as heartburn and regurgitation—but also promotes healing of the esophagus if it has been damaged by excessive acid exposure.

Although H2 receptor antagonists and antacids can also be used to manage acid reflux, proton pump inhibitors are generally preferred for moderate to severe cases because they provide a more potent and longer-lasting reduction in gastric acidity. Antibiotics are unrelated to the treatment of acid reflux since they target bacterial infections rather than addressing acid secretion or reflux symptoms.