Comparison of paste and suspension formulations of omeprazole in the healing of gastric ulcers in racehorses in active training.
OBJECTIVE
To compare effects of a commercially available omeprazole paste and a compounded omeprazole suspension on healing of gastric ulcers in Thoroughbred racehorses in active training.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
32 horses with gastric ulcers.


METHODS
Horses were assigned to 2 groups on the basis of endoscopic gastric ulcer severity. Group-1 horses were treated with omeprazole suspension for 30 days and with omeprazole paste for an additional 30 days. Group-2 horses were treated with omeprazole paste for 30 days and omeprazole suspension for an additional 30 days. Serum omeprazole concentrations were measured in 4 additional healthy horses after administration of a single dose of each formulation. In all instances, omeprazole was administered at a dose of 4 mg/kg (1.8 mg/lb), p.o..


RESULTS
Ulcer severity scores on day 0 were not significantly different between groups. On day 30, ulcer severity score was significantly decreased, compared with day-0 score, in group-2 but not in group-1 horses. On day 60, ulcer severity score was significantly decreased, compared with day-0 and day-30 scores, in group-1 horses. In group-2 horses, ulcer severity score on day 60 was significantly lower than the day-0 score but was not significantly different from the day-30 score. Maximum observed serum omeprazole concentration and area under the concentration-time curve were significantly higher after administration of the paste versus the suspension formulation.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that although administration of the commercially available paste omeprazole formulation was effective in promoting healing of gastric ulcers in these horses, administration of the compounded omeprazole suspension was ineffective.
Nieto
Jorge E
JE
Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Spier
Sharon
S
Pipers
Frank S
FS
Stanley
Scott
S
Aleman
Monica R
MR
Smith
Donald C
DC
Snyder
Jack R
JR
D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006736:Horses; D009824:Ointments; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D013535:Suspensions; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D009824:Ointments; D013535:Suspensions; D009853:Omeprazole