New drug for acid-related diseases out

AstraZeneca Phils. Inc., one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in the world and a world leader in gastroenterology, recently launched Nexium (esomeprazole), a new drug that will benefit thousands of Filipinos suffering from acid-related diseases (ARDs) like peptic ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

GERD is a serious medical condition that affects an estimated 50 million Europeans. This common disease, that can ruin a patient’s quality of life, is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed as dyspepsia or indigestion. It is also mistakenly believed to be caused by lifestyle factors like stress, a poor diet, obesity and smoking.

However, the truth is that GERD can affect anyone, regardless of a person’s lifestyle, weight, age or occupation. While these factors may aggravate the condition, they are not the main causes of GERD.

Experts said GERD is characterized by the reflux or backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus (food pipe). Heartburn is the most common symptom, occurring in 75 percent of patients.

Untreated, the disease may interfere with a number of normal daily activities such as eating, drinking, sleeping, working and even sex. It can also cause esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) and other complications.

"Unfortunately, many of the people who suffer from the symptoms of GERD have their lives ruined because they are not aware that they actually have a medical disorder that needs drug treatment. As a result of focusing only on lifestyle alterations, they miss out on a treatment that could restore their quality of life to normal in such areas as eating, sleeping and even their romantic life," according to Dr. David Armstrong of McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, a participant in the Genval Workshop in Belgium that developed international guidelines for the treatment of GERD.

According to these guidelines, effective therapy is essential because of the severe negative impact of GERD. For over a decade, this has been achieved with Losec (omeprazole), the first proton pump inhibitor (PPI) developed by AstraZeneca that controls acid secretion and is used by over 400 million people worldwide.

With Nexium, the high standard set by Losec in the management of GERD has been surpassed. Nexium is considered an evolution beyond the "gold standard" set by Losec because of its superior control of ARDs.

Clinical studies involving more than 15,000 patients have confirmed the superiority of Nexium over Losec in the treatment of GERD and peptic ulcer. Acid control with Nexium is greater, faster and more sustained compared with Losec. Hence, symptom relief is achieved sooner with Nexium.