The effects of dose and timing of esomeprazole administration on 24‐h, daytime and night‐time acid inhibition in healthy volunteers

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 1249–1256 Summary Background Symptoms of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may persist despite daily treatment with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Aim To compare the pharmacodynamic effect of various esomeprazole dosage and timing regimens in healthy volunteers. Methods The effect of different esomeprazole dosage regimens [20 mg once daily (od) before breakfast or dinner; 20 mg twice daily (b.d.); 40 mg od before breakfast, dinner or at bedtime; and 40 mg b.d.] on 24‐h, daytime and night‐time acid inhibition was evaluated in a randomized, seven‐way crossover study in healthy volunteers. Each regimen was taken for 5 days. Results Over the 24‐h period (day 5), esomeprazole 20 mg b.d. was associated with superior acid inhibition vs. all 20 mg and 40 mg od regimens (P