Programme of stepping down from twice daily proton pump inhibitor therapy for symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease associated with a formulary change at a VA medical center

Background In July 2001, our Veterans' Affairs hospital changed its formulary proton pump inhibitor (PPI) from lansoprazole to rabeprazole. All patients previously receiving lansoprazole 30 mg twice daily were switched to rabeprazole 20 mg once daily. Aim To determine if patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), who were previously managed on lansoprazole 30 mg twice daily, could be maintained on rabeprazole 20 mg once daily. Patients and methods Four hundred and thirty-five patients had received lansoprazole 30 mg twice daily for at least 12 months before the formulary change. Medical records were reviewed for 12 months before and after the formulary change. Results There were 432 men and three women with a mean age of 66.7 years (range: 38-91). Two hundred and twelve patients were excluded. Of the remaining 223, 111 (50%) were maintained successfully on rabeprazole 20 mg once daily. Twenty-three (10%) stayed off all acid suppression during follow-up. The number of endoscopies and clinic visits did not significantly change during the follow-up. Fifty-six percent who had erosive oesophagitis failed a dose taper compared with 31% of those with endoscopy-negative GERD (P < 0.025). Conclusions Most patients receiving twice daily PPI therapy for GERD could be maintained on once daily PPI or no acid suppression for 12 months of follow-up. Dose reduction was more successful in those without erosive oesophagitis.