[Substituted benzimidazoles--a new dimension in ulcer therapy?]

Substituted benzimidazoles represent a new class of gastric secretory inhibitors, which suppress acid secretion via direct inhibition of the parietal cell H+/K+-ATPase. The most potent derivative so far is omeprazole, which inhibits basal acid secretion and prevents the stimulatory effect of all classical acid secretory stimulants. In man, a single dose of 80 mg leads to almost complete achlorhydria over 24 hours. The results of the first duodenal ulcer trial with omeprazole are encouraging. No definite side effects have been attributed to the drug so far. Omeprazole may possibly initiate a new era in the medical treatment of peptic ulcer disease.