Gastroesophageal reflux disease during pregnancy

Pregnant patients with symptomatic GERD should be managed aggressively with lifestyle modification and dietary changes. Antacids and antacids/alginic acids combination or sucralfate should be considered first-line medical therapy. If symptoms are not adequately relieved or complications develop, treatment with cimetidine or ranitidine should be considered; these H2 receptor antagonists are preferred during pregnancy. Nizatidine cannot be recommended. Proton-pump inhibitors should be used with caution because little human experience is available. Despite this caveat, both proton-pump inhibitors are likely to be safe during pregnancy.