SUMMARY Aim:1To compare the safety and efficacy of pantoprazole and ranitidine in maintaining erosive oesophagitis healing. Methods: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients (349) with endoscopically documented healed erosive oesophagitis (grade 0 or 1) were randomly assigned to receive pantoprazole (10, 20 or 40 mg/q.d.s.) or ranitidine (150 mg/b.d.). Erosive oesophagitis status was assessed endoscopically at months 1, 3, 6 and 12 or when relapse symptoms appeared (relapse ¼ reappearance of erosive oesophagitis grade 2 within 12 months). Symptom-free days were also assessed. Results: Pantoprazole 20-and 40-mg were significantly more effective than ranitidine in maintaining healing regardless of initial erosive oesophagitis grade.Response was dose-related. After 12 months 78, 55, 46 and 21% of patients remained healed (40-, 20-, 10-mg pantoprazole and ranitidine). Pantoprazole 40-mg produced significantly more symptom-free days (83%) than ranitidine (58%). Heartburn-free days/ nights were significantly higher with pantoprazole 40-mg (92 and 93%) than ranitidine (73 and 77%). The most frequent reason for discontinuation, unsatisfactory efficacy, occurred most often with ranitidine (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Once-daily pantoprazole therapy prevented relapse of healed erosive oesophagitis more effectively than ranitidine and with fewer heartburn days. Response to pantoprazole was dose-related. Pantoprazole 40-mg was the most effective regimen and consistent in maintaining erosive oesophagitis healing with a good safety and tolerability profile.

PCM had the highest overall eradication rate in these two studies examining 7-day treatment regimens. All regimens were safe and well tolerated.

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2003) 73, P37–P37; doi: