A prescriber's office calls and asks the technician to confirm whether the omeprazole the pharmacy stocks is in the same therapeutic class as the patient's previous pantoprazole, because the patient reported the old medicine controlled her reflux well. To answer correctly, which classification do both medicines share?
- AHistamine H2-receptor antagonists, which block acid at the H2 receptor
- BAntacids, which neutralise acid already present in the stomach
- CProkinetic agents, which speed gastric emptying to reduce reflux
- DProton pump inhibitors, which block the gastric acid-secreting enzyme Correct
Why A is wrong: H2 antagonists such as famotidine also reduce stomach acid, which makes the class tempting, but omeprazole and pantoprazole act differently and do not belong to this group.
Why B is wrong: Antacids also treat reflux symptoms, making the choice plausible, but they neutralise existing acid rather than blocking its production as these two drugs do.
Why C is wrong: Prokinetics like metoclopramide can ease reflux by improving motility, which is tempting, but neither omeprazole nor pantoprazole works by that mechanism.
Why D is correct: Both omeprazole and pantoprazole are proton pump inhibitors that block the hydrogen-potassium ATPase enzyme, so they share the same therapeutic class and acid-suppressing action.