Efficacy of rabeprazole in the treatment of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease

The purpose of this study was to assess the rapidity of symptom relief and 4-week efficacy of rabeprazole 20 mg in patients with moderately severe nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease. Data were analyzed from 2 similarly designed, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, U.S. trials. After a 2-week placebo run-in period, patients (N = 261) were randomized to 4 weeks of rabeprazole 20 mg once daily or placebo. Patients kept symptom diaries and scored symptom severity. Median time to first 24-hour heartburn-free interval was 3.5 days for the rabeprazole group compared with 19.5 days for the placebo group (P <= .0002). Complete heartburn relief at week 4 was 32% with rabeprazole and 3.8% with placebo (P <= .001). Rabeprazole also significantly improved other GERD-associated symptoms (e.g., regurgitation, belching, early satiety) by week 4 compared with placebo (P <= .05). Rabeprazole provides fast and potent relief from heartburn and other symptoms of nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease.