Managing GORD with PPIs in primary care 

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly prescribed and often used long term, even when stepping down in dose or stopping may be more appropriate.

 

For consumers, check out Managing reflux and heartburn

Managing GORD with PPIs in primary care 

Key points

  • A person is likely to have GORD if they have reflux symptoms that are frequent (two or more episodes per week) or severe enough to significantly impair their quality of life.
  • Diet and lifestyle modifications may be sufficient for people with mild intermittent reflux symptoms, but those with GORD will also require treatment with a PPI.
  • For patients with, or suspected of having, GORD, start a standard-dose PPI for 4 to 8 weeks with a planned review.
  • Regularly review patients who are taking PPIs for GORD, with the aim of reducing or stopping PPI treatment when symptoms are well controlled.

 

Practice review – GORD: stepping down PPIs

Prescriber examining the PBS feedback letter

Australian GPs recently received a Practice review on their prescribing of PPIs in practice.

  • Reflect on your data in relation to your patients and their indications for PPIs
  • Find more information to help you interpret and understand your data
  • Access a sample report 

Read the full details

  • Reflect on your data in relation to your patients and their indications for PPIs
  • Find more information to help you interpret and understand your data
  • Access a sample report 
 

Medicinewise News: Stepping the appropriate path with GORD medicines

Person holding two pills in their hand

PPIs are among the most prescribed medicines in Australia. Guideline recommendations for GORD encourage starting daily PPI treatment for 4 to 8 weeks, and reducing or stopping treatment when GORD symptoms are well controlled.

Read the full article

 

News feature: PPI use and risk of death – cause for concern?

Pile of medicines on a scale, being weighed

A 2017 publication found an increased risk of death with PPI use. Although the study results were statistically significant, how the findings relate to clinical practice is worthy of discussion.

Read the full article

 

Choosing Wisely Australia

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Choosing Wisely Australia helps healthcare providers and consumers have important conversations about improving the quality of healthcare by reducing unnecessary and sometimes harmful tests, treatments, and procedures.

Led by Australia’s colleges, societies and associations and facilitated by NPS MedicineWise, Choosing Wisely Australia challenges the way we think about healthcare, questioning the notion 'more is always better'.

5 questions to ask your doctor or other healthcare provider is a resource that can help patients ensure they end up with the right amount of care.

 

Australian Prescriber: The management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Australian Prescriber logo

Charlotte Keung and Geoffrey Hebbard

Aust Prescr 2016;39:36–9

GORD is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions and may result in significant morbidity. In patients with typical symptoms, treatment can be based on symptoms alone with a trial of PPI therapy.

Read the full article