Optimizing acid-suppression therapy

Acid-related disorders are caused by an imbalance between acid secretion by the gastric parietal cells and the defensive mechanisms of the gastrointestinal tract to protect against the effects of acid. Therapy for acid-related disorders focuses on the control of acidity. Data collected throughout the last decade have demonstrated that PPIs are the most effective therapy for acid-related disorders: PPIs have proven superior to H2RAs and antacids in numerous studies. Five PPIs are currently available in the United States. While all PPIs exert their effect through the same basic mechanism of action, they do not have the same pharmacologic and clinical properties. All PPIs are effective in healing and maintenance of gastric and duodenal ulcers and GERD. The PPIs differ, however, in their ability to control symptoms rapidly and consistently. Due to its more rapid rate of activation, rabeprazole results in a faster onset of action and faster symptom control than other PPIs. Studies comparing rabeprazole to omeprazole found statistically significant differences in the rapidity of symptom relief in patients with gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, and GERD. Rapid symptom relief is important to the majority of patients, as their symptoms have an impact on their quality of life. Rapid symptom relief is also important in an environment where patients self-medicate on demand, depending on daily symptoms. Rabeprazole has also been shown to have a more consistent suppression of acid, including at night. Optimizing therapy with PPIs necessitates consideration not only of healing rates of the different available treatments but also of the rapidity and consistency of acid suppression that translate clinically into symptom relief.