Omeprazole-Mg 20.6 mg is superior to lansoprazole 15 mg for control of gastric acid: a comparison of over-the-counter doses of proton pump inhibitors.

BACKGROUND

Over-the-counter (OTC) proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) relieve heartburn by decreasing the production of gastric acid, but may not do so with equal effectiveness. It is important for healthcare professionals to compare the ability of OTC PPIs to control gastric acid when recommending them for patients with frequent heartburn.

AIM: To compare the effects of omeprazole-Mg 20.6 mg and lansoprazole 15 mg (OTC doses in the US) on 24-h steady state gastric acid suppression.

METHODS

This single-centre, randomized, double-blind clinical study compared the steady-state gastric acid control of omeprazole-Mg 20.6 mg vs. lansoprazole 15 mg, dosed before breakfast. Volunteers were enrolled in a 3-period, cross-over design (ABB, BAA) with 24-h gastric pH monitoring on dosing day 5. The primary efficacy variable was the percentage time intragastric pH was >4.0 over 24 h on day 5 of dosing.

RESULTS

Forty subjects were enrolled; all completed the study. The mean (SE) percentage time pH was >4.0 was 45.7% (3.45%) for omeprazole-Mg 20.6 mg and 36.8% (3.45%) for lansoprazole 15 mg, an absolute difference of 8.9% (P < 0.0001), and a relative difference of 24.2%. Both drugs were well tolerated.

CONCLUSION

Omeprazole-Mg 20.6 mg provided a statistically significantly (P < 0.0001) greater acid control than lansoprazole 15 mg.