Santarus’ stomach treatment out performs Protonix

The trial results showed that immediate-release Zegerid (omeprazole) powder for oral suspension 40mg to be more effective than Protonix (pantoprazole) delayed-release tablets 40mg when dosed once a day in the evening. Both drugs are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) used to reduce gastric acid and treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

In the study of 36 patients with nighttime symptoms of GERD participants received repeated evening doses of either Zegerid or Protonix for one week, followed by twice-daily dosing for one day. After a washout period, patients were treated with the alternative drug, following the same schedule.

Zegerid was administered at bedtime during the once daily dosing regime yet Protonix was administered before dinner in order to reflect current practice for evening dosing of delayed-release PPIs. Although the data shows Zegerid to out perform Protonix, giving significantly better nocturnal gastric control when administered both at once daily intervals and twice a day, no analysis was made of the impact of the alternative dosing times.

Once-daily bedtime dosing of Zegerid 40mg also achieved better nocturnal gastric acid control than twice-daily dosing of Protonix 40mg.

Zegerid 40mg is indicated for reduction of risk of upper GI bleeding in critically ill patients and short-term treatment (four to eight weeks) of active benign gastric ulcers. Zegerid 20mg is indicated for short-term treatment of active duodenal ulcers, for heartburn and other symptoms associated with GERD, for short-term treatment (four to eight weeks) of erosive esophagitis diagnosed by endoscopy, and for maintenance of healing of erosive esophagitis (controlled studies do not extend beyond 12 months).