Famotidine vs. omeprazole: a prospective randomized multicentre trial to determine efficacy in non-erosive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Several studies in Western countries showed that proton-pump inhibitors are superior to histamine2-receptor antagonists or placebo in the treatment of non-erosive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. The efficacy of acid-suppressive drugs for non-erosive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in Japan, in which the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection is higher compared with Western countries, is unknown.

AIM:

To compare the efficacy of famotidine and omeprazole in Japanese patients with non-erosive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease by a prospective randomized multicentre trial.

METHODS:

A total of 98 patients received either famotidine 20 mg b.d. (n = 48) or omeprazole once daily (n = 50). Frequency of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms and health-related quality of life were evaluated at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment. Complete relief was defined as no gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms during the 7-day interval in week 4.

RESULTS:

Complete relief was achieved in 23 (48%) of patients receiving famotidine and 28 (56%) of patients treated with omeprazole. In the famotidine group, complete relief rate in H. pylori-negative patients was significantly lower than H. pylori-positive patients (35% vs. 64%). Both famotidine and omeprazole improved most scales of health-related quality of life. Omeprazole significantly improved reflux score irrespective of H. pylori infection while famotidine significantly improved reflux score in H. pylori-positive patients but not in H. pylori-negative patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

Omeprazole is more effective than famotidine for the control of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms in H. pylori-negative patients, while similar efficacy is observed in H. pylori-positive patients with non-erosive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

• Authors: Y Fujiwara, K Higuchi, H Nebiki, S Chono, H Uno, K Kitada, H Satoh, K Nakagawa, K Kobayashi, K Tominaga, T Watanabe, N Oshitani, T Arakawa
• Journal: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics (Aliment Pharmacol Ther) Vol. 21 Suppl 2 Pg. 10-8 (Jun 2005) ISSN: 0269-2813 [Print] England
• PMID: 15943841 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Ulcer Agents
• Famotidine
• Omeprazole

Topics

• Anti-Ulcer Agents (therapeutic use)
• Famotidine (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Gastroesophageal Reflux (drug therapy)
• Helicobacter Infections (complications)
• Helicobacter pylori
• Hernia, Hiatal (complications)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Omeprazole (therapeutic use)
• Prospective Studies
• Quality of Life
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Treatment Outcome