Disclosed herein are novel compositions and methods for treating or preventing GI tract disorders and/or GERD-related respiratory disorders as well as protecting stratified squamous epithelium against injury by a noxious substance. The methods generally include administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one bile acid sequestrant, alone or in combination with at least one proton pump inhibitor, and optionally one or more agent chosen from antacids, histamine H2-receptor antagonists, γ-aminobutyricacid-b (GABA-B) agonists, prodrugs of GABA-B agonists, and protease inhibitors.