Allegan-based Perrigo seeks approval for generic heartburn treatment

ALLEGAN — Store-brand products maker Perrigo Co. said Friday that it has filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application to market a generic, over-the-counter version of heartburn treatment Zegerid.

The product is for the treatment of frequent heartburn.

Perrigo’s product will be a generic equivalent to Schering-Plough’s Zegerid-OTCTM, a proton pump inhibitor (a drug that causes a significant reduction of gastric acid) and an antacid.

 In a statement, Perrigo said annual sales of the over-the-counter name-brand treatment are estimated to be about $60 million.

Even if approval is granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, legal action is pending. Schering-Plough filed suit in September alleging Perrigo’s product will infringe on its patent. Santarus Inc. and the Curators of the University of Missouri, the licensor and owner of the patents, are co-plaintiffs in the lawsuits.

Heartburn of remedies for pregnant

A woman's body undergoes a number of changes, during pregnancy, due to the surge of hormones. Some of the changes can be pleasant, while some are not so pleasant. There are also a number of disorders that can occur during the entire term. These disorders are mostly temporary and will go away after the delivery. To name a few, a pregnant woman can suffer from constipation, gas, acne and in some cases even gestational diabetes. The most common complaint of pregnant women, especially, during the early stages of pregnancy, is heartburn. This condition is quite normal and there is no need to panic. Before we take a look at the heartburn remedies for pregnant women, let us discuss about the causative factors of this annoying health condition.

As mentioned earlier, heartburn is a common complaint among most of the pregnant women. The degrees of severity may vary from person to person. Some women may experience mild heartburn symptoms, whereas, some of them may have a severe complaint. The pressure applied on the stomach by the growing fetus and the relaxation of the soft tissues in preparation for birth are some of the reasons for what causes heartburn during pregnancy.

Other reasons may be indigestion, softening of the esophageal sphincter and increase in the levels of progesterone. Heartburn in pregnancy can be brought under control with the help of some natural remedies as well as some over-the-counter medications, prescribed by a medical practitioner. Here are a few natural as well as clinical heartburn remedies for pregnant women that are quite effective without causing any side effects.

Remedies for Heartburn for Pregnant Women

Heartburn can cause discomfort, especially, during the last trimester, since the baby has completely developed putting extra pressure on the stomach. You can try these heartburn remedies for pregnant women, without worrying about the side effects.

• One of the best heartburn remedies for pregnant women is to keep a check on the diet. Avoid eating spicy or greasy foods as these may aggravate heartburn. Instead follow a heartburn diet, which includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain products and legumes. These foods are easily digested and are also known to improve digestion. It is also advisable to eat small meals at regular intervals instead of having large meals for proper digestion.
• Drinking plenty of water and other fluids like cold milk or fruit juices is also considered as the best heartburn home remedies for pregnant women. The fluids will neutralize the acids in the stomach and hence, provide relief from this condition.
• One of the natural heartburn remedies for pregnant women is to chew mint leaves, asafoetida tablets or drink chamomile tea which will improve digestion and relieve heartburn during pregnancy.
• Another of the effective heartburn remedies during pregnancy is to drink aloe vera juice, thrice a day. Aloe vera juice has a soothing effect on the stomach and reduces acidity.
• Yogurt, which is a rich source of probiotic culture, is considered to be an effective heartburn remedy and is safe for consumption for pregnant women.
• Drinking honey mixed with warm milk or water is said to keep the symptoms of heartburn and acidity during pregnancy at bay.
• There are also a few over-the-counter antacids that can help relieve heartburn. Before taking medication of any kind, consulting your gynecologist is advisable.
• Apart from these above mentioned heartburn remedies for pregnant women, walking after meals, mild exercises, and sleep postures also play a major role in curing heartburn during pregnancy.

These were some heartburn remedies for pregnant women. Visit a gynecologist if the heartburn persists, who may prescribe medications that provide relief. Don't let a heartburn dampen your spirits of enjoying your motherhood. Take care!

"Outta older heartburn!"

My doctor says it is fine to take pepcid so i have been for like 2 weeks, buti found out it was  a catagory b or something. Now I dont quite understand that, when they say the benefits out weigh the risk, What is the risk! I dont want to risk my baby for anything! So I tried to stop it yesterday and the acid is unbearable I took tums all day and they did nothing , I even woke up with laryngitis this morning from it.So I want to take the pepcid again but i cant help but think i am hurting my baby.Can anyone explain catagory B better to me and is anyone else suffering like me?

Incisionless surgery treats heartburn

Dr. Laurence Gibson

WAUKEGAN — Surgery without an incision is now a possibility for those diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease. People suffering from reflux — heartburn — can now get back to living with the help of the new Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication procedure offered at Vista Health System.

Dr. Laurence Gibson will conduct question-and-answer seminars about the condition and the surgery at 6 p.m. Oct. 4 at Vista Medical Center East, 1324 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan; and at 6 p.m. Oct. 25 at Vista Surgery Center, 1050 Red Oak Lane, Lindenhurst.

“The TIF procedure with the EsophyX device can significantly improve quality of life for patients,” said Dr. Gibson, a board-certified surgeon.

“GERD is an anatomical problem which needs an anatomical solution. Reflux medications like PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) can help relieve a patient’s heartburn symptoms but do not solve underlying anatomical problems or prevent further disease progression,” he said.

“Even on PPIs, many patients are still unable to eat the foods they want or have to sleep sitting up to reduce nighttime reflux. In addition recent studies have shown that long-term use of PPIs can lead to inadequate absorption of minerals such as calcium and can result in bone fractures. After the EsophyX TIF procedure, clinical trials show that most patients can eat and drink foods they avoided for many years. Reflux no longer impacts their life like it previously did.”

EsophyX is based on established principles of surgical repair of the antireflux barrier, but it is performed transorally (through the mouth).

The EsophyX TIF procedure reduces hiatal hernia and creates a valve between the stomach and esophagus, restoring the natural, physiological anatomy to prevent gastroesophageal reflux. Because the procedure is incisionless, there is reduced pain, reduced recovery and no visible scar.

The EsophyX TIF procedure represents the next step in the evolution of surgery. Laparoscopic procedures typically reduce skin incisions from open surgery to three-to-five port holes. However, laparoscopy still involves the same internal incisions and organ dissection as open surgery. EsophyX TIF requires neither internal incisions nor dissection. EsophyX also allows for early intervention.

With millions of Americans diagnosed with GERD and not fully satisfied with their treatment options, EsophyX offers an excellent alternative.

“We are very excited to offer our patients the incredible benefits of a surgical procedure without incisions,” said Dr. Gibson said.

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