What is the difference between omeprazole and rabeprazole?

Answer 1

Rabeprazole sodium is the newest member of a class of substituted benzimidazole molecules known as proton pump inhibitors. Other proton pump inhibitors have been shown to be effective in healing active, benign gastric ulcers.

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, multicentrestudy, conducted at 25 European sites, rabeprazole and

omeprazole were compared in patients with active gastric ulcers. Two hundred and twenty-seven patients with active benign gastric ulcer were randomized to receive either rabeprazole 20 mg (nà 113) or omeprazole 20 mg (nà 114) once daily for 3 or 6 weeks, with healing monitored by endoscopy. Results : After 3 weeks, complete healing (ITT analysis) was documented in 58% of patients given rabeprazole and 61% in patients given omeprazole (N.S.). After 6 weeks the healing rates were identical in both groups at 91%. Rabeprazole-treated patients had numerically greater symptom relief at all 12 points of comparison. The differences significantly favoured rabeprazole at week 3 for daytime pain improvement (P= 0.023) and at week 6 for pain frequency (P= 0.006) and complete resolution of night pain (P= 0.022). Both drugs were well-tolerated over the 6-week treatment course. Mean changes from baseline to end-point in fasting serumgastrin were comparable. No significant differences in laboratory parameters were seen.

Conclusion: In this study, rabeprazole produced healing rates comparable to omeprazole at weeks 3 and 6, but provided more consistent and occasionally significantly superior symptom improvement. Both treatments were well-tolerated.