Pantoprazole and omeprazole in the treatment of reflux oesophagitis: a European multicentre study.

BACKGROUND

Pantoprazole is a new substituted benzimidazole which inhibits gastric H+,K(+)-ATPase.

METHODS

In this double-blind, multicentre study, pantoprazole 40 mg once daily was compared with omeprazole 20 mg once daily in the treatment of grade II and III (Savary-Miller) reflux oesophagitis. Endoscopy was repeated after 4 weeks of treatment, and also after 8 weeks in patients unhealed at 4 weeks.

RESULTS

The primary efficacy variable was ulcer healing; after 4 weeks, 81/103 (78.6%) patients in the pantoprazole group and 83/105 (79.0%) patients in the omeprazole group had healed completely. After 8 weeks, the cumulative healing rates were 94.2% and 91.4% in the pantoprazole and omeprazole groups, respectively (P > 0.05 at 4 weeks and 8 weeks). Both groups experienced rapid relief of the key symptoms: heartburn, acid regurgitation and pain on swallowing. The time course of relief of the individual symptoms was similar in both groups after 2 and 4 weeks (P > 0.05). Both treatments were well tolerated, with only three patients withdrawing owing to adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Pantoprazole has been shown to be as effective as omeprazole in the treatment of reflux oesophagitis.