Properties
Omeprazole reduces gastric acid secretion through a unique mechanism of action. It is a specific inhibitor of the gastric proton pump in the parietal cell. It is rapidly acting and provides control through reversible inhibition of gastric acid secretion with once daily dosing.
Indications
• Treatment of oesophageal reflux disease. In reflux esophagitis the majority of patients are healed after 4 weeks. Symptom relief is rapid.
• Treatment of duodenal and benign gastric ulcers including those complicating NSAID therapy.
• Relief of reflux-like symptom (e.g. heartburn) and/or ulcer-like symptoms (e.g. epigastric pain) associated with acid-related dyspepsia.
• Treatment and prophylaxis of NSAID-associated benign gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers and gastroduodenal erosions in patients with a previous history of gastroduodenal lesions who require continued NSAID treatment.
• Relief of associated dyspeptic symptoms.
• Helicobacter pylori eradication: Remeprazole® should be used in combination with antibiotics
• Prophylaxis of acid aspiration.
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Dosage
Oesophageal reflux disease including reflux esophagitis:
The usual dosage is 20mg Remeprazole® once daily. The majority of patients are healed after 4 weeks. For those patients not fully healed after the initial course, healing usually occurs during a further 4-8 weeks treatment.
Omeprazole has also been used in a dose of 400mg once daily in patients with reflux esophagitis refractory to other therapy. Healing usually occurred within 8 weeks. Patients can be continued at a dosage of 200mg once daily.
Acid Reflux disease:
For long-term management of return symptoms of acid reflux disease a dose of up 20mg remeprazole® is recommended.