Inhibition of pentagastrin-induced gastric acid secretion by intravenous pantoprazole: A dose-response study

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the gastric acid inhibi tory ability of increasing doses of intravenous (i.v.) pantoprazole with th at of iv, famotidine and placebo. Pentagastrin was infused continuously in healthy subjects as a model for patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. METHODS: Pentagastrin (1 pglkg/h)was infusedto stimulate maximum acid outpu t in 39 subjects over a 25-h period. After 60 min of pentagastrin infusion, subjects received a single dose of iv. pantoprazole (20,40, 80, or 120 mg) , iv. famotidine (20 mg),or saline placebo. The variables measured were ons et of response (time until acid output fell to <10 mEq/h), duration of resp onse (time acid output remained <10 mEq/h), and cumulative acid output over 24 h. RESULTS: All doses of i.v. pantoprazole produced a dose-dependent suppressi on of acid output to <10 mEq/h. Single i.v. doses of pantoprazole, XO and 1 20 mg, suppressed acid output by >90% in all subjects for less than or equa l to 21 h and bad an onset of action of <1 h. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous pantoprazole has a rapid onset and a clear dose-re lated effect, with a significantly longer duration of action than that of i v, famotidine. (C) 1999 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterology.