The present invention provides oral pharmaceutical, nutraceutical,health foods and medical device compositions based on polysaccharides fromOpuntia Ficus Indica cladodes in combination with other active substancesuseful for the prevention or treatment of GERD (Gastro-Esophageal RefluxDisease), gastric esophagitis and related diseases (e.g. dyspepsia,esophagitis,esophageal tumour, gastro-intestinal symptoms, chronic pharyngitis, Barrett'sesophagus, esophageal adenocarcinoma, GERD-related pulmonary symptoms).