Acid Reflux Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Acid Reflux, including details on diet, gerd (gastro-esophageal reflux disease), treatment, symptoms.

Efficacy of rabeprazole in the treatment of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Kahrilas PJ, Miner P, Johanson J, Mao L, Jokubaitis L, Sloan S

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA. p-kahrilas@northwestern.edu

The purpose of this study was to assess the rapidity of symptom relief and 4-week efficacy of rabeprazole 20 mg in patients with moderately severe nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease. Data were analyzed from 2 similarly designed, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, U.S. trials. After a 2-week placebo run-in period, patients (N = 261) were randomized to 4 weeks of rabeprazole 20 mg once daily or placebo. Patients kept symptom diaries and scored symptom severity. Median time to first 24-hour heartburn-free interval was 3.5 days for the rabeprazole group compared with 19.5 days for the placebo group (P < or = .0002). Complete heartburn relief at week 4 was 32% with rabeprazole and 3.8% with placebo (P < or = .001). Rabeprazole also significantly improved other GERD-associated symptoms (e.g., regurgitation, belching, early satiety) by week 4 compared with placebo (P < or = .05). Rabeprazole provides fast and potent relief from heartburn and other symptoms of nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Published 21 October 2005 in Dig Dis Sci, 50(11): 2009-18.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Acid Reflux Research Today. All Rights Reserved.