Baclofen Shows Promise As a Treatment for GERD

Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs) account for most episodes of gastroesophageal reflux. However, the mainstays of therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are acid suppression and, to a lesser degree, promotility agents, neither of which affect TLESRs. The γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA, a potent inhibitory neurotransmitter) agonist baclofen inhibits TLESRs. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, researchers assessed the effects of 24-hour (acute) treatment with baclofen in 15 GERD patients and in 9 healthy controls, and 1-month (chronic) treatment (10 mg 4 times/day) in 16 GERD patients.

Patients underwent pH and symptom assessment before and after the medication interventions. In both the acute and chr…