Review article: rabeprazole's profile in patients with gastrointestinal diseases

The selection of agents to treat patients with acid-related gastrointestina l diseases requires knowledge of their efficacy, tolerability, and ease of dosing among individuals with differing disease severities and other baseli ne characteristics. The efficacy and favourable benefit-risk profile of rab eprazole, a new proton pump inhibitor, has been demonstrated in controlled clinical trials of patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), duodenal ulcers, and gastric ulcers, In comparative trials, rabeprazole is at least as effective as omeprazole f or the treatment of GERD, duodenal ulcers, and gastric ulcers, and it is su perior to histamine(2)-receptor antagonists for the treatment of GERD and d uodenal ulcers, Its once-daily dosing regimen and low potential for interac tion with drugs metabolized by the cytochrome P450 system make it a particu larly attractive option for the treatment of acid-related diseases among ol der individuals, Rabeprazole is likely to be a valuable new addition to its class in treatin g patients with acid-related gastrointestinal diseases given its efficacy i n acid suppression, high healing rates, rapid symptom relief, and convenien t dosing.