Effects of a single dose of rabeprazole 20 mg and pantoprazole 40 mg on 24-h intragastric acidity and oesophageal acid exposure: a randomized study in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients with a history of nocturnal heartburn.

BACKGROUND

Nocturnal heartburn is common in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

AIM: To compare the effects of single doses of rabeprazole 20 mg and pantoprazole 40 mg on 24-h intragastric acidity and oesophageal acid exposure (OAE).

METHODS

A total of 52 subjects with GERD and a >or=6-month history of heartburn were randomized into a blinded, 2 x 2 crossover trial. Subjects' intragastric pH was monitored in two 48-h study periods with 6- to 13-day washout between periods. Patients received placebo on day 1, a single dose of rabeprazole 20 mg or pantoprazole 40 mg on day 2, and standardized meals throughout.

RESULTS

The mean percentage time with intragastric pH >4 was significantly greater with rabeprazole vs. pantoprazole for the 24-h postdose interval (44.0% vs. 32.8%; P < 0.001). Significant differences were observed in the daytime (51.0% vs. 42.2%; P < 0.001) and nighttime (32.0% vs. 16.9%; P < 0.001). Rabeprazole was also significantly superior in other intragastric pH parameters. There was no statistical difference for OAE between treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

In GERD patients with nocturnal heartburn, rabeprazole 20 mg was significantly more effective than pantoprazole 40 mg in percentage time with intragastric pH >4 during the nighttime, daytime, and 24-h periods. Differences between treatments in OAE were not demonstrated. This trial is registered with http://clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT00237367.