A double-blind, controlled study comparing lafutidine with placebo and famotidine in Japanese patients with mild reflux esophagitis.

PURPOSE: This randomized, double-blind, controlled study examined whether lafutidine is superior to placebo and non-inferior to famotidine in terms of healing rates as assessed by endoscopy in Japanese patients with mild reflux esophagitis. Safety and improvement in symptoms of heartburn were also assessed.

METHODS

Patients with an endoscopic diagnosis of grade A or B reflux esophagitis according to the Los Angeles classification were randomly assigned to receive lafutidine (20 mg/day), famotidine (40 mg/day), or placebo for 8 weeks.

RESULTS

Of the 584 patients enrolled in the study, 447 were diagnosed to have grade A or B reflux esophagitis by the Endoscopic Assessment Committee. Healing rates at 8 weeks were 71.0% (115/162) in the lafutidine group, 61.4% (86/140) in the famotidine group, and 9.7% (14/145) in the placebo group. Lafutidine was thus demonstrated to be superior to placebo and non-inferior to famotidine. As compared with placebo, lafutidine significantly improved symptoms of heartburn.

CONCLUSIONS

Lafutidine has a high endoscopic healing rate and improves symptoms of heartburn in patients with mild reflux esophagitis. Lafutidine is considered a promising treatment option for mild reflux esophagitis.