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Pharmacy & Pharmacology vocabulary · Drug Classes

Proton pump inhibitor

Meaning in pharmacy & pharmacology, with examples

nounCommon term

In pharmacy & pharmacology, proton pump inhibitor means: A medicine that strongly reduces the amount of acid the stomach makes, used for heartburn, reflux and stomach ulcers and to protect the stomach from other drugs.

In Turkish: proton pompası inhibitörü, PPI, mide koruyucu

How it is used

Shortened to PPI. Names end in -prazole: omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole. They are often prescribed with NSAIDs for patients at risk of stomach bleeding. Long-term use is reviewed regularly, and PPIs are among the drugs most often considered for deprescribing.

Example sentences

  1. She's on naproxen for her arthritis, so a proton pump inhibitor was added to protect her stomach.

  2. Has anyone reviewed whether he really still needs the proton pump inhibitor?

Common collocations

  • take a proton pump inhibitor
  • PPI therapy
  • long-term PPI use
  • co-prescribe a PPI
  • NSAIDShort for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug: a medicine such as ibuprofen, naproxen or diclofenac that reduces pain, fever and inflammation.
  • enteric-coatedDescribes a tablet or capsule with a special coating that does not dissolve in stomach acid but breaks down later, in the small intestine.
  • medication reviewA structured check of all the medicines a patient takes, usually done with the patient, to make sure each one is still needed, effective, safe and taken correctly.
  • side effectAn effect of a medicine that is not the main reason for taking it; most side effects are unwanted, such as nausea, drowsiness or a headache.

More terms: Drug Classes

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.