Heartburn: Appropriate Use of OTC Medications- Pharmacist

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Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that may radiate toward the neck, throat, and occasionally, the back. It most often results from the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. Heartburn is among the most common gastrointestinal complaints, and is a common reason people seek medical care. The worldwide prevalence of reflux symptoms that occur at least once a week is estimated to be 13%, but varies widely among countries. In the US, the prevalence ranges from 6% to 30%. It is higher among individuals who are 50 years or older, those who are smokers, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) and/or aspirin users, and obese individuals. Heartburn and regurgitation are the typical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is defined as the effortless movement of stomach contents into the esophagus or mouth, which leads to troublesome symptoms and/or complications. Heartburn is a symptom – GERD is a disease. Heartburn is differentiated from GERD based on symptom frequency and severity, and the impact of symptoms on quality of life. Reduced quality of life is linked with frequent symptoms – especially nocturnal symptoms, which can lead to sleep disturbances that impair next-day functioning. Men and women are equally affected by GERD, but men are at greater risk of developing complications – mainly erosive esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal cancer. GERD should be managed by a health care provider, as patients may need long-term therapy and ongoing monitoring for complications. In contrast, heartburn can often be managed with appropriate self-care including lifestyle changes and over-the-counter (OTC) medications...

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Course Information

Target Audience

Pharmacist

Knowledge Level

General Overview

This activity will apply to a broad range of learning needs/pharmacy settings. It may include common disease state/therapy overivews and/or general pharmacy needs such as medication errors, immunizations, or law topics.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe heartburn and indicate when self-care with over-the-counter (OTC) medications is appropriate. Recommend lifestyle changes that may help prevent or reduce heartburn.
  • Describe the main differences among antacids, histamine-2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs), and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in the treatment of heartburn. Educate patients about the proper administration of each.
  • Summarize safety concerns for OTC heartburn medications including potential drug interactions, use in special populations, and the unique concerns with PPI therapy.

Course Accreditation

  • Activity Type:
    Knowledge
  • CE Broker
    878516
  • Universal Activity Number:
    Pharmacist : 0798-0000-21-213-H01-P
PharmCon is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

PharmCon, Inc. is an approved course provider for continuing education for nurses by the Florida Board of Nursing. PharmCon is also recognized by the California Board of Nursing as a provider of nursing programs.

Credit for this program is issued by passing the final test hosted at www.RxConsultant.com with a score of 70% or higher.

Technology Requirements

  • Hardware Requirements
    Standard Windows/Mac System
    iPad or iPhone
    Minimum screen resolution: 1024x768
  • Software Requirements
    Standard Windows/Mac System
    iPad or iPhone
    Minimum screen resolution: 1024x768
  • Network Requirements
    Broadband Internet Connection:
    T1, Hi-speed DSL or Cable
    4G cellular connection
Computer sharing is NOT permitted due to accreditation guidelines on activity monitoring. Credit is earned by one user per device.