Eradication therapy with rabeprazole versus omeprazole in the treatment of active duodenal ulcer.

Author(s): Catalano F, Terminella C, Branciforte G, Bentivegna C, Brogna A, Scalia A

Affiliation(s): Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Service, University of Catania, Garibaldi Hospital, Catania, Italy. f.catalano@mbox.unict.it

Publication date & source: 2002, Digestion., 66(3):154-9.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Rabeprazole has been demonstrated to be a potent antisecretory agent and has been shown to be clinically effective in the treatment of acid-related diseases. AIMS: It was to determine the efficacy of rabeprazole at 20 and 40 mg in addition to amoxicillin and clarithromycin in the treatment of active Helicobacter pylori-positive duodenal ulcers compared with omeprazole 40 mg. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-seven patients were randomised into three treatment groups: 40 patients were treated with rabeprazole 40 mg daily, 42 patients with rabeprazole 20 mg daily and 45 patients with omeprazole 40 mg daily for 10 days. All patients received amoxicillin 1 g twice a day and clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day for 5 days. All patients were re-assessed at least 4 weeks after the end of the treatment. RESULTS: According to the intention-to-treat (ITT) protocol, ulcer healing was observed in 90% of patients in the rabeprazole 40 group, in 85.7% in the rabeprazole 20 group and in 93.3% in the omeprazole 40 group. We observed H. pylori eradication in 90% ITT in the rabeprazole 40 group, in 80.9% ITT in the rabeprazole 20 group and in 88.8% ITT in the omeprazole 40 group. Statistical analysis did not show significant differences among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: A 10-day rabeprazole 20 mg regimen represents an efficacious and safe regimen for H. pylori eradication and ulcer healing. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel