Double‐blind, placebo‐controlled comparison of rabeprazole 20 mg vs. omeprazole 20 mg in the treatment of erosive or ulcerative gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease

Abstract

Background: Rabeprazole sodium is the most recent member of a class of substituted benzimidazole molecules known as proton pump inhibitors. Other proton pump inhibitors have been shown to be effective in healing oesophagitis. Methods: In this randomised, double‐blind, multicentre study, conducted at 27 European sites, the efficacy and safety of rabeprazole and omeprazole were compared in patients with erosive or ulcerative gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).100 patients received rabeprazole 20 mg, and 102 patients omeprazole 20 mg once daily for 4 or 8 weeks, with healing monitored by endoscopy. Results: Overall GERD healing rates observed and evaluated at weeks 4 and 8 were equivalent. Four‐week healing rates for rabeprazole and omeprazole were 81%–81% and 92%–94% for 8‐week healing. Rabeprazole‐treated patients had similar relief of the frequency and intensity of heartburn to those treated with omeprazole. Both drugs were well tolerated over the 8‐week treatment period. Mean changes in fasting serum gastrin were comparable. No significant differences in laboratory parameters were seen. Biopsies for argyrophil ECL cell histology at the end‐point revealed a similar distributions of hyperplasia grades to those at baseline in both groups. Biopsies of body and antral mucosa for other parameters were similar between treatments for Helicobacter pylori colonization, presence or degree of inflammation, atrophy or intestinal metaplasia at the end‐point. Conclusion: In this study, GERD healing rates following rabeprazole 20 mg once daily were equivalent to those obtained with omeprazole 20 mg once daily. Both treatments resulted in a comparable relief of the frequency and intensity of heartburn associated with this disease, and both were well tolerated.

Comparative evaluation of itopride and domperidone in gastroesophageal reflux disease

“…22 This is in accordance of our study, which shows good effect in 82.86% patients. 21 Data of our study lie close to this study.…”

“…8 According to a study, rabeprazole provided relief in about 73% of patients after 8 weeks treatment. 21 When rabeprazole alone provided relief in 73% patients and 57-79% patients got benefi ted by itopride alone, it might be assumed that their combination will provide more benefi t than each alone. Similarly, our study shows a benefi t in 91.43% patients.…”

The Frontiers of Reflux Disease

“…Table 6 summarizes the comparison of efficacy of rabeprazole vs. the other proton pump inhibitors. In two studies measuring the healing of oesophagitis, rabeprazole 20 mg was similar to omeprazole 20 mg. 6,7 There were no data comparing oesophagitis healing and/or GERD symptom relief with lower doses of rabeprazole vs. standard doses of any proton pump inhibitor. A single study indicated that low-dose rabeprazole (10 mg) was similar to standard-dose rabeprazole (20 mg) and standard-dose omeprazole (20 mg) in the maintenance of healing of oesophagitis.…”

Frequency scale symptoms for gastroesophageal reflux disease (Frequency Scale for Symptoms of GERD) predicts need for addition of prokinetics to proton pump inhibitor therapy

“…Dekkers et al showed that, at 8 weeks, 38% of patients have complete resolution of their symptoms, whereas 73% have significant improvement from baseline. 11 In the current study, outcome assessments by patients themselves were categorized as satisfied versus dissatisfied. Agreement between physician and patient regarding their assessment of symptomatic GERD can be poor.…”