Zantac Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Zantac, including details on ranitidine, side-effects, allergic reactions, information.

Long-term management of patients with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease -- a Norwegian randomised prospective study comparing the effects of esomeprazole and ranitidine treatment strategies on health-related quality of life in a general practitioners setting.

Hansen AN, Bergheim R, Fagertun H, Lund H, Wiklund I, Moum B

Harbitzallèen Legesenter, Oslo, Norway. admin@oppsupport.com

This article reports quality of life (QoL) aspects of a study that investigated the efficacy of three treatment regimens in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients. Following a 4-week symptom-control phase (esomeprazole 40 mg once daily), patients were randomised to 6 months' esomeprazole 20 mg once daily continuously (n = 658), on-demand (n = 634) or ranitidine 150 mg twice daily continuously (n = 610). Esomeprazole 40 mg once daily improved QoL during the symptom-control phase. At 6 months, both esomeprazole regimens were more effective than ranitidine in all dimensions of the Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia questionnaire (p < 0.0001). Esomeprazole continuous and on-demand led to a significant improvement in symptoms (Overall Treatment Evaluation questionnaire) compared with ranitidine (continuous: 80.2%, on-demand: 77.8%, vs. ranitidine 47.0%; p < 0.001). Esomeprazole once daily continuously maintained QoL better than esomeprazole on-demand and was associated with greater patient satisfaction. In conclusion, esomeprazole 20 mg once daily continuously and on-demand were more effective than ranitidine continuously for maintaining QoL.

Published 13 January 2006 in Int J Clin Pract, 60(1): 15-22.
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