A trial of lansoprazole in refractory gastric ulcer.
BACKGROUND
The proton-pump inhibitor, lansoprazole, a more potent gastric acid inhibitor with a longer action than H2-receptor antagonists, should heal refractory gastric ulcers more effectively.


METHODS
Lansoprazole's efficacy in healing refractory gastric ulcer(s) (i.e. after 6 weeks of treatment with H2-receptor antagonists, antacids or sucralfate at recommended dosages, and/or a relapse within 1 year of documented gastric ulcer), was compared by a two-dose regimen in a four-centre, randomized, parallel group study. One hundred and eighteen patients (59 per group) with an endoscopically confirmed gastric ulcer > or = 3 mm, received lansoprazole 30 or 60 mg daily. We assessed efficacy endoscopically at 4 and 8 weeks, and again after documented healing during a maintenance phase of lansoprazole 30 mg/day at 2 and 4 months.


RESULTS
Demographic and anthropometric data were comparable. Healing rates at 4 weeks were 63% (30 mg) vs. 66% (60 mg) (95% CI, -14 to 21%) and cumulatively at 8 weeks, 83% (30 mg) vs. 81% (60 mg) (95% CI, -12 to 16%). Two and 4 months after documented healing, 86% and 78% of intention-to-treat patients remained in remission.


CONCLUSIONS
Lansoprazole 30 or 60 mg/day appear equally effective in healing refractory gastric ulcers, while maintenance therapy of 30 mg/day effectively prevented an ulcer relapse.
van Rensburg
C J
CJ
Department of Medicine, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Louw
J A
JA
Girdwood
A H
AH
Simjee
A E
AE
Marks
I N
IN
D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D064747:Lansoprazole; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D012737:Sex Factors; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017211:Treatment Failure
D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D064747:Lansoprazole; D009853:Omeprazole