Esomeprazole is effective and well tolerated in the maintenance of a healing erosive esophagitis. Esomeprazole 40 mg and 20 mg maintain healing in over 90% of patients while providing effective control of heartburn symptoms.

In a phase 2 study of patients with symptomatic celiac disease and histologic evidence of significant duodenal mucosal injury, latiglutenase did not improve histologic and symptom scores when compared with placebo. There were no significant differences in change from baseline between groups. ClinicalTrials.gov no: NCT01917630.

This study showed that 1 g HS and 500 mg BID mesalamine suppository treatments of UP patients were equivalent in all facets of efficacy, safety, and compliance in a 6-week trial.

BackgroundUlcerative proctitis (UP) is a prevalent condition associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Topical mesalamine (5-aminosalicylic acid [5-ASA]) inhibits inflammatory processes in UP.MethodsWe evaluated effects of mesalamine 1-g suppository administered QHS compared with 500-mg suppository administered BID on UP activity (e.g., disease extension/mucosal appearance), remission, onset of response, safety and compliance in 97 patients with UP. A 6-week, randomized, multicenter, parallel-group, noninferiority study was conducted (and published) with Disease Activity Index (DAI) at week 6 as the primary efficacy variable and individual components of DAI at week 6 (i.e., stool frequency, rectal bleeding, mucosal appearance, global assessment) as secondary variables. Unreported outcomes were remission (DAI < 3 at weeks 3 and 6), disease extension, and complete response to treatment (DAI = 0; post-hoc, exploratory analysis).ResultsDAI values after 6 weeks were significantly reduced (±SD) from 6.6 ± 1.5 to 1.6 ± 2.3 (500-mg BID); and from 6.1 ± 1.5 to 1.3 ± 2.2 (1-g QHS). Mucosal appearance significantly improved from baseline after 3 and 6 weeks of treatment from 1.8 ± 0.5 to 0.8 ± 0.7 and 0.5 ± 0.7 (500-mg BID; P ≤ 0.0062) and from 1.7 ± 0.5 to 0.9 ± 0.5 and 0.4 ± 0.6 (1-g QHS; P ≤ 0.0001), respectively. Remission was comparable (78.3–86.1%); onset of response generally occurred within 3 weeks, and disease extension was reduced (>70%) after 6 weeks in both groups. Mesalamine was well tolerated. Compliance was >96%.ConclusionsMesalamine 500-mg BID and 1-g QHS suppositories are safe and effective for patients with UP. Most patients reported significant improvement within 3 weeks and UP remission and reduced disease extension after 6 weeks of treatment. Validity of QHS administration was confirmed.

Balsalazide disodium 1.1 g tablets administered as 3.3 g twice daily are effective, well tolerated and significantly better than placebo for improving signs and symptoms of mild-to-moderately-active UC. This new formulation with a reduced pill and dosing burden offers the potential to improve convenience and compliance in patients with active UC.