Esomeprazole: A significant advance beyond omeprazole in the treatment of acid-related disease

The second-generation proton pump inhibitor (PPI) esomeprazole is a new chemical entity consisting of an optical isomer of omeprazole, which for many years has been acknowledged as the gold standard therapy in gastric acid-related disorders. Esomeprazole has demonstrated a unique pharmacokinetic profile and enhanced efficacy over omeprazole, with improved inter-patient pharmacokinetic consistency and a similar safety profile. Esomeprazole has been tested as a therapeutic agent in the management of erosive esophagitis, symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and, in combination with appropriate antibiotic therapy, for the eradication of the Helicobacter pylori bacterium and healing of H. pylori-associated duodenal ulcers. In clinical studies, esomeprazole has shown greater efficacy than omeprazole with a comparable low incidence of adverse events. (c) 2001 Prous Science. All rights reserved.