Complete resolution of Heartburn

Heartburn is a cardinal symptom of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and is among the most common patient complaints.

Chronic GERD can cause heart burn, ulcers, scarring, and inflammation in the esophagus. It can also change cells that line the esophagus. This is known as Barrett's esophagus and it increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer.

Proton pump inhibitors are more effective for providing heartburn relief than H2 blockers. They also work better to help heal the esophagus.

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Resolution of Heartburn with Esomeprazole therapy

To assess symptom control, esomeprazole 20 mg on demand has been compared with placebo on demand (maximum of one dose a day) for 6 months in a multi-center, double-blind study in 342 endoscopy-negative patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

There was complete resolution of heartburn after 4 weeks of daily esomeprazole therapy. On-demand therapy with esomeprazole was significantly more effective than placebo in controlling symptoms.

Occasional heartburn usually is not a cause for concern, but severe, ongoing acid reflux can be dangerous. Severe heartburn that occurs at least twice per week may indicate GERD which needs to be treated.

Efficacy of Esomeprazole

Esomeprazole is structurally similar to other PPIs but is the first PPI to include only the active isomer, which may lead to improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics.

Esomeprazole maintains intragastric pH at a higher level and above 4 for a longer period than other PPIs. Clinical studies have shown that esomeprazole is at least equivalent in safety and efficacy to other drugs in the class. Esomeprazole has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of erosive esophagitis, the maintenance of healing of erosive esophagitis, and the treatment of signs and symptoms of GERD.