Proton pump inhibitors: An assessment of efficacy and safety

The proton pump inhibitors, omeprazole and lansoprazole, are the most effec tive antisecretory agents available to treat acid-related disorders, Both d rugs are more effective than histamine H-2-receptor antagonists in the trea tment of duodenal ulcers, gastric ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and the Zoll inger-Ellison syndrome. In head-to-head trials, the two drugs have similar efficacy after 4 and 8 weeks, although lansoprazole has shown better healin g rates in shorter-term trials, Proton pump inhibitors are well tolerated i n the short term; adverse effects are infrequent and similar to those of hi stamine H-2-receptor antagonists. In the long term, hypergastrinemia can oc cur; however, the development of gastric carcinoids does not appear to be a concern.