Multi-center study; single-blind 2-week placebo run-in, followed by open-label 4-week acute
treatment, followed by a 6-month double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled maintenance
treatment.
Minimum age: 18 Years.
Maximum age: 65 Years.
Gender(s): Both.
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Male or female patients, 18 to 65 years of age.
2. If female, not of childbearing potential by reason of surgery, radiation or menopause,
or of childbearing potential, but using an approved method of contraception since the
last menstrual period, for example, IUD, implant, double barrier method, or oral
contraceptives for at least one cycle. Females of childbearing potential must have a
negative urine pregnancy test before medication is dispensed.
3. Patients must report a minimum three-month history of GERD symptoms. GERD symptoms are
defined as heartburn with or without regurgitation or other associated GERD symptoms.
4. Patients must have at least 4 days with heartburn per week in each of the 2 weeks
prior to screening.
5. Patients must have a no esophagitis (that is, no macroscopic erosions) on endoscopy at
Screening (Grade 0 or 1 modified Hetzel-Dent), with no proton pump inhibitors (PPIs,
prescription or OTC), H2 blockers (prescription or OTC) or prokinetics within 14 days,
prior to the endoscopy.
6. Patients with a history of appendectomy or cholecystectomy are eligible.
7. Patients must be able to read, write and understand the language of the QOL assessment
instruments (GSAS, PAGI-QOL).
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Evidence of significant hepatic, renal, respiratory, endocrine, hematologic,
neurologic, psychiatric or cardiovascular system abnormalities, unless the Sponsor and
Investigator agree that the nature and severity of any abnormality is unlikely to
interfere with the conduct of the study, the interpretation of study results, or the
health of the patient during the study.
2. Females must not be pregnant, lactating or have a positive urine รข-hCG laboratory
result.
3. Patients with a known or suspected history of alcohol or drug misuse within 5 years.
4. Patients who are unwilling or unable to abide by the requirements of the study or who
violate the prohibitions and restrictions of the study defined in section (A) 4. 4.
5. Any condition which would make the patient, in the opinion of the Investigator or
Sponsor, unsuitable for the study.
6. Patients who have participated in another investigational drug study within 30 days
prior to screening or are expected to receive an investigational drug during this
trial.
7. Patients with a history of allergy or sensitivity to proton pump inhibitors or to
their inactive ingredients.
8. Patients who are unable or unwilling to give informed consent.
9. Patients who are unable or unwilling to complete a daily diary.
10. Patients who are unable or unwilling to return for all required study visits.
11. Patients with known gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, infectious or inflammatory
conditions of the small or large intestine, malabsorption syndromes, obstruction, a
history of gastrointestinal malignancy, or prior gastric or intestinal surgery
(including vagotomy).
12. Patients who have a history of Barrett's esophagus, esophageal stricture, or pyloric
stenosis.
13. Patients with a history of endoscopically-proven esophagitis (Grade 2 or more,
modified Hetzel-Dent, or equivalent) any time in the past.
14. Patients with scleroderma.
15. Patients with malignancy or treatment for malignancy within the year prior to study
entry, except simple excision of basal cell carcinoma.
16. Patients who are known to be HIV positive.
17. Patients with clinically relevant abnormal laboratory tests at the initial visit,
including liver enzymes greater than two times the upper limit of normal.
18. Patients who have taken proton pump inhibitors (PPIs, prescription or OTC), H2
blockers (prescription or OTC) or prokinetics within 14 days, prior to Screening
endoscopy, or any of these medications within 7 days prior to the single-blind placebo
run-in period.
19. Patients who are unable to discontinue the use of anticholinergics, cholinergics,
spasmolytics, opiates and/or sucralfate.
20. Patients who require daily use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs), oral
steroids (20 mg/day prednisone or equivalent) or aspirin (> 325 mg/day).