PodcastRx with Chris Bender - February 2026

Listen here or wherever you enjoy podcasts!

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For the first time on PodcastRx, we're (finally) addressing some listener feedback! One of Chris's correctional provider contacts wanted to hear a show devoted to "all things heartburn and gastric reflux", and we were more than happy to oblige.

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For the main discussion, Chris covers the differences among treatment classes for heartburn and reflux medications, the latest treatment guidelines, whether proton pump inhibitors deserve a bad reputation, concerns about antacid overuse, and non-pharmacologic considerations.

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Before that, Chris shares a few updates related to

-New motion sickness drug approval

-Updated refractory constipation guidelines

-Upadacitinib vs. adalimumab trial for rheumatoid arthritis

-Treating scabies with ivermectin vs. permethrin

-Bismuth quadruple therapy for H. pylori

-GLP-1 suicide warnings

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And though we missed Valentine's Day, we close out the show with a look at the fascinating pharmacy origins of a chalky, but clever Valentine's Day confection.

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Sponsor Links:

www.opticsclinical.com

www.sapphire-health.com

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Music in this Episode:

The Retro Synth by Art Haiz

Vitals & Headlines (Suno AI)

Breezy Thoughts (Suno AI)

Trivia Time Ticker (Suno AI)

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Reference Links/Further Reading:

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Into the Clinic:

FDA Greenlights First Motion Sickness Drug in More than 40 Years

Prevention and Treatment of Motion Sickness

AGA Clinical Practice Update on Evaluation and Management of Refractory Constipation: Expert Review

Not All Drugs Approved for Rheumatoid Arthritis Are Equal for Pain Relief

Oral ivermectin versus 5% permethrin cream to treat children and adults with classic scabies: multicentre, assessor blinded, cluster randomised clinical trial

Cost-Effectiveness of First-Line Regimens for Helicobacter pylori Infection in the United States

FDA Requests Removal of Suicidal Behavior and Ideation Warning from Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist (GLP-1 RA) Medications

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Main Discussion:

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Guidelines & Pharmacotherapy

• American College of Gastroenterology (2022). ACG Clinical Guideline: Diagnosis and Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. AJG Link
• Katz PO, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of GERD. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013.
• US Pharmacist. Standards of Care for GERD. US Pharmacist

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PPI Safety & Long-Term Use

• Freedberg DE, Kim LS, Yang YX. The risks and benefits of long-term use of proton pump inhibitors. Gastroenterology. 2017.
• Scarpignato C, et al. Effective and safe proton pump inhibitor therapy in acid-related diseases. BMC Med. 2016.
• American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). Clinical Practice Update: Deprescribing PPIs. 2022.

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Rebound Acid Hypersecretion

• Reimer C, et al. PPI therapy induces acid-related symptoms after withdrawal in healthy volunteers. Gastroenterology. 2009.
• AGA Clinical Practice Update (2022) – tapering strategies for discontinuing PPIs.

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Antacid Use & Long-Term Concerns

• StatPearls.  Antacids. NCBI Bookshelf
• Drugs.com. Antacids – Monograph & Precautions. Drugs.com
• International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD). Antacids and Your Health. IFFGD
• Verywell Health. Antacid Side Effects. Verywell Health

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Non-Pharmacologic Interventions

• US Pharmacist. Lifestyle Modifications for GERD. US Pharmacist
• NIDDK. GERD – Causes, Treatment, and Lifestyle Tips. NIDDK

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Additional Resources

• UpToDate. Gastroesophageal reflux disease: Management overview. (subscription     required)
• AGA Clinical Practice Updates – Lifestyle and pharmacologic management of     GERD.

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Trivia Capsule

The Pharmacist Who Launched America's Modern Candy Industry

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