Esomeprazole: update and clinical review.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee and Gastroenterological Drugs Advisory Committee recommended approval of omeprazole as an over-the-counter treatment of heartburn in patients who have at least two episodes of heartburn each week. The consumer studies that have been conducted indicate that the majority of patients understand the proposed labeling and could use the proposed label to determine if the omeprazole therapy was appropriate for them. Esomeprazole is an effective agent in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and erosive esophagitis. Newer studies continue to support its efficacy and safety in the treatment of these conditions. Several of the most recent studies have included comparisons with other proton pump inhibitors. The results of these studies indicate that all the proton pump inhibitors are effective in treating GERD and erosive esophagitis and that some patients would benefit from esomeprazole therapy.