Gaviscon® vs. omeprazole in symptomatic treatment of moderate gastroesophageal reflux. a direct comparative randomised trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Medical management of GERD mainly uses proton pump inhibitors. Alginates also have proven efficacy. The aim of this trial was to compare short-term efficacy of an alginate (Gaviscon®, 4 × 10 mL/day) and omeprazole (20 mg/day) on GERD symptoms in general practice.

METHODS:

A 14-day multicentre randomised double-blind double-dummy non-inferiority trial compared Gaviscon® (4 × 10 mL/day) and omeprazole (20 mg/day) in patients with 2-6 day heartburn episodes weekly without alarm signals. The primary outcome was the mean time to onset of the first 24-h heartburn-free period after initial dosing. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of patients without heartburn by D7, pain relief by D7, and reduction in pain intensity by D7 and D14.

RESULTS:

278 patients were recruited; 120 were included in the Gaviscon® group and 121 in the omeprazole group for the per protocol non-inferiority analysis. The mean time to onset of the first 24-h heartburn-free period after initial dosing was 2.0 (± 2.2) days for Gaviscon® and 2.0 (± 2.3) days for omeprazole (p = 0.93); mean intergroup difference was 0.01 ± 1.55 days (95% CI = -0.41 to 0.43): i.e., less than the lower limit of the 95% CI of -0.5 days predetermined to demonstrate non-inferiority. The mean number of heartburn-free days by D7 was significantly greater in the omeprazole group: 3.7 ± 2.3 days vs. 3.1 ± 2.1 (p = 0.02). On D7, overall quality of pain relief was slightly in favour of omeprazole (p = 0.049). There was no significant difference in the reduction in pain intensity between groups by D7 (p = 0.11) or D14 (p = 0.08). Tolerance and safety were good and comparable in both groups.

CONCLUSION:

Gaviscon® was non-inferior to omeprazole in achieving a 24-h heartburn-free period in moderate episodic heartburn, and is a relevant effective alternative treatment in moderate GERD in primary care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION:

ISRCTN62203233.

• Authors: Denis Pouchain, Marc-André Bigard, François Liard, Marc Childs, Annick Decaudin, Donna McVey
• Journal: BMC gastroenterology (BMC Gastroenterol) Vol. 12 Pg. 18 (Feb 23 2012) ISSN: 1471-230X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22361121 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Alginates
• Drug Combinations
• Proton Pump Inhibitors
• Silicic Acid
• Aluminum Hydroxide
• alginate, aluminium hydroxide, magnesium trisilicate, sodium bicarbonate drug combination
• Sodium Bicarbonate
• Omeprazole

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Alginates (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Aluminum Hydroxide (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Combinations
• Female
• Gastroesophageal Reflux (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Omeprazole (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Proton Pump Inhibitors (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Silicic Acid (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Sodium Bicarbonate (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult