PPI Contraindications
What NOT To Do!

PPI Contraindications. Important information of what NOT to do when giving any PPI medication to your baby that is suffering from GERD.

Proton pump inhibitors are very safe and there is evidence that shows that there are little to no side affects. As shown by multiple medical publications listed here. But like any medication, they are only safe and/or effective if you use them properly.

Many times we hear families say that their baby's symptoms got worse when they started a PPI. That is usually because the dose isn't effective or frequent enough and that can in fact make things worse. More on that subject here and here. Don't be tricked into thinking that PPIs don't work for babies. They do! Of course having the right medical team to help put together an effective plan is key.

Part of that plan includes when PPIs are appropriate and when using them, what is best to maximize results and what to avoid which can prohibit the medication from working at it's best. We want your baby to get the best results from any infant GERD treatment. Keeping them healthy and happy is our #1 goal so please read the below information to make sure these medications are being used properly.

Food and PPI Contraindications

Unless a PPI is immediate release you can not give the medication with any food. In fact it's indicated on the use label to time around any food by 45 minutes. The only exception to timing around food is if you are using a immediate release formulation such as TC Max. Then you can dose the PPI before, after or directly with food. You can connect with our team for more information on that product and although they are a separate company, we think it's a great product for many reasons.

Some foods are best avoided for you and baby, at least for the first two hours of initial daily dosing.

• High acidic fruits or juices
• Foods that your baby may have an intolerance to (Milk, Soy, Corn, Protein)
• Any allergen foods
• Caffeine
  

We realize that you are aware of most of the food items that inflame your baby's acid reflux and we are well aware that you would not give your child any food products that they are allergic to.

However, you may not be aware that the above food items could cause more severe acid reflux even after giving them a proton pump inhibitor. It's always better to have more information rather then less when it comes to PPI Contraindications.

Which speaking of foods and diet for you or your baby, we have an amazing infant GERD nutritionist that can help you navigate that very confusing area of care. Her name is Mary Graham and you can read more information about her here.

PPI Contraindications with Chemicals or other Medications

Here we list any drugs or chemical products that you should not being giving while treating your baby's GERD with a proton pump inhibitor.

• H2 blockers:
  H2 blockers prevent PPI medications from working if they are taken too close together. A good rule to live by is "Do not give your baby any H2 blockers within four hours of giving them a PPI drug.
  Proton pump inhibitors work by inactivating the acid producing pumps in the parietal cells. This can only happen when the pumps are actively producing acid.
  H2 blockers prevent the pumps from producing acid so it's possible they can inhibit the full effectiveness of the PPI medication when they are given together. For more detailed information on H2 blockers, visit the H2 Blockers page.
• Antacids:
  Antacids can dissolve the protective coating on PPIs. Antacids work much like the stomach acid in destroying the PPI medication before it reaches the small intestine. The site where PPI medications are absorbed and become effective. For more detailed information on Antacids, visit the Antacids page.
• Sucralfate: Sulfated sucrose is a solution that is typically used as a secondary agent in treating acute ulceration of the stomach lining from excess acid production.
• Beware of some acid containing medications such as some liquid Acetaninophen (the generic name for Liquid Tylenol®)

We hope this page has helped you and if you have any additional questions, please contact our support team directly.