Efficacy of H2 receptor antagonists in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease and its symptoms.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is caused by prolonged esophageal mucosal exposure to acid gastric refluxate due to failure of the normal antireflux mechanisms of the lower esophageal sphincter. Gastroesophageal reflux can be controlled by suppression of acid secretion or by improvement of gastric emptying and esophageal clearance. H2 receptor antagonists are the most commonly used antisecretory drugs, and in the past 20 years have …