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.

Efficacy of esomeprazole for resolution of symptoms of heartburn and acid regurgitation in continuous users of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Hawkey CJ, Jones RH, Yeomans ND, Scheiman JM, Talley NJ, Goldstein JL, Ahlbom H, Naesdal J

Institute of Clinical Research Trials Unit, University Hospital, Nottingham, UK. cj.hawkey@nottingham.ac.uk

BACKGROUND: The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is often associated with upper gastrointestinal symptoms such as heartburn and acid regurgitation. AIM: To assess the efficacy of esomeprazole 20 and 40 mg for resolution of heartburn and acid regurgitation in continuous NSAIDs. METHODS: A post hoc analysis of five clinical trials was performed. Two identically designed, placebo-controlled, 4-week studies (NASA1, SPACE1) enrolled non-ulcer, NSAIDs-treated patients with upper abdominal pain, discomfort or burning. PLUTO and VENUS were identically designed, placebo-controlled, 6-month studies that enrolled patients at risk of NSAIDs-induced ulcers. Study 285 was an 8-week comparative study with ranitidine (300 mg/day) in patients with NSAIDs-induced gastric ulcers. Resolution of investigator-assessed heartburn and acid regurgitation was defined as symptom severity of 'none' in the last 7 days. RESULTS: In NASA1/SPACE1, heartburn resolved in 61% and 62% of patients taking esomeprazole 20 and 40 mg, respectively (vs. 36% on placebo, P < 0.001), and acid regurgitation resolved in 65% and 67% (vs. 48%, P < 0.001). Resolution of both symptoms was greater with esomeprazole than with placebo in PLUTO/VENUS (P <or= 0.001), and than with ranitidine in study 285 (P < 0.05 for esomeprazole 20 mg). CONCLUSION: Heartburn and regurgitation are common in patients taking NSAIDs and esomeprazole is efficacious for resolution of these symptoms.

Published 21 March 2007 in Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 25(7): 813-21.
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