Patient description: The patient is a 15-year-old boy with asthma diagnosed a year ago. He presents with shortness of breath, chest tightening and cough. According to his mother, he didn't respond to the usual corticosteroid inhaler. He was admitted to the emergency department with diagnosis of severe asthma exacerbation. He is a candidate for general corticosteroid therapy. Spirometry revealed a forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) of 60% of the predicted. His past medical history is non-significant. His family history is significant for asthma in his mother and his uncle. He used to be treated with combination of inhaled corticosteroids and Zafirlukast.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria: eligible ages (years): 18.0-999.0,  Asthma Lung Diseases Lung Diseases, Obstructive The general goal of patient selection is to enroll patients for whom asthma physicians might prescribe GERD treatment, but where there is uncertainty whether it might be effective Age 18 or older Physician diagnosed asthma If amount of air expired in the first second during a forced expiratory maneuver (FEV1) is greater than or equal to 70% predicted normal pre-bronchodilator: demonstrate methacholine 20% from post-diluent baseline (PC20). PC20 less than 16 mg/ml during Visit 1 If FEV1 less than 70% and greater than or equal to 50% predicted normal pre-bronchodilator: demonstrate 12% reversibility during Visit 1 or within past 12 months Currently on stable dose of daily inhaled steroids for asthma control, i.e., inhaled corticosteroid equivalent to 400 ug/day of fluticasone44 or greater for 8 weeks or longer Poor asthma control: Either of the following; a score of 1.5 or greater on the Juniper Asthma Control Questionnaire; two or more episodes of asthma symptoms in the past 12 months with each episode requiring at least one of the following: an emergency department visit, unscheduled physician visit, prednisone course, hospitalization Non-smoker for 6 months or longer Less than 10 pack/year smoking history  Surgery: Previous anti-reflux or peptic ulcer surgery Pulmonary function: FEV1 less than 50% predicted normal pre-bronchodilator GERD Symptoms: Severe reflux constituting a clinical indication for treatment with a PPI or H2 blocker, typically two or more episodes per week of heartburn requiring antacids Other major chronic illnesses; conditions which in the judgment of the Study Physician would interfere with participation in the study, e.g., non-skin cancer, endocrine disease, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, severe hypertension, Type 1 insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, renal failure, liver disorders, immunodeficiency states, major neuropsychiatric disorder Medication use: Anti-reflux medication (proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers) within 1 month Theophylline, azoles, iron, anti-coagulants, insulin (for Type I diabetes), digitalis, any investigative drugs within 1 month Drug allergy: Previous adverse effects from proton pump inhibitors or methacholine challenge Females of childbearing potential: Pregnant or lactating, unwilling to practice an adequate birth control method (abstinence, combination barrier and spermicide, or hormonal) Inability or unwillingness to provide consent Inability to perform baseline measurements Completion of less than 10 of the last 14 days of screening period diary entry