Published online Mar 28, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.1941
Revised: December 4, 2007
Published online: March 28, 2008
AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of two different preparations of esomeprazole in healing duodenal ulcers.
METHODS: A total of 60 patients with active duodenal ulcers were enrolled and randomized to receive esomeprazole enteric-coated capsules (40 mg) or esomeprazole magnesium (40 mg), once daily, for 4 consecutive wk, with ulcer healing being monitored by endoscopy. Safety and tolerability were also assessed.
RESULTS: Fifty seven patients completed the whole trial. The ulcer healing rates at the end of wk 2 were 86.7% and 85.2% in the esomeprazole enteric-coated capsules and esomeprazole magnesium groups, respectively (P = 0.8410), and reached 100% at the end of wk 4 in both groups. Symptom relief at the end of wk 2 was 90.8% in the esomeprazole enteric-coated capsules group and 86.7% in the esomeprazole magnesium group (P = 0.5406); at the end of wk 4 symptom relief was 95.2% and 93.2%, respectively (P = 0.5786). Adverse events occurred in 16.7% of the esomeprazole enteric-coated capsules group and 14.8% of the esomeprazole magnesium group (P = 1.0000).
CONCLUSION: The efficacies of esomeprazole enteric-coated capsules and esomeprazole magnesium in healing duodenal ulcer lesions and relieving gastrointestinal symptoms are equivalent. The tolerability and safety of both drugs were comparable.