MIAMI, Fla. – January 15, 2019– In the past, those who suffer from chronic, severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (known as GERD) have relied on proton pump inhibitor (PPIs) medications that were never intended for extended periods of time. In fact, long term use of these medications has high risk. All PPIs carry an FDA warning that they should not be used long term. Yet both doctors and patients frequently ignore this warning.