title: Managing heartburn at the 'base' of the GERD 'iceberg': effervescent ranitidine 150 mg b.d. provides faster and better heartburn relief than antacids.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many individuals with heartburn self-medicate with antacids for relief of their symptoms.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare efficacy of effervescent ranitidine to as-needed calcium carbonate antacids in subjects who self-treat heartburn.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 155 subjects with frequent antacid-responsive heartburn were randomized to receive effervescent ranitidine 150 mg tablets b.d., or as-needed calcium carbonate 750 mg for 12 weeks. Endoscopic oesophagitis severity and mucosal histology were assessed at baseline, and at weeks 6 and 12. Heartburn frequency, severity, and antacid consumption were recorded daily, and quality of life was assessed at baseline, and at weeks 6 and 12.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Heartburn frequency and severity were significantly decreased after 1 day of ranitidine (P < 0.02). By week 6, ranitidine had significantly decreased rescue antacid consumption (7.3 tablets, P < 0.001) vs. antacids (14.1 tablets). Endoscopic oesophagitis healing (</= grade 1) was significantly better with ranitidine (55%, P=0.022) vs. antacids (29%). Quality of life was improved by both treatments; however, ranitidine was numerically superior for all quality of life parameters, statistically superior for several quality of life indices at week 6 and for the pain-related index by week 12 (P < 0. 05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For subjects self-administering antacids for chronic heartburn, effervescent ranitidine 150 mg b.d. is more effective than antacids in reducing heartburn, healing erosive oesophagitis, alleviating pain, and improving quality of life.
authors.affiliation: University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Earnest
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Stanley
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ciociola
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jaffe
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Kleoudis
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Murdock
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000188:drug therapy; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006356:Heartburn / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012646:Self Administration; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D011899:Ranitidine; D002119:Calcium Carbonate