Oral Omeprazole, 20 mg Versus 30 mg Once Daily: Effect on Healing Rates in 115 Duodenal Ulcer Patients

Abstract

Omeprazole, a substituted benzimidazole, is a strong inhibitor of gastric acid secretion in humans. Its antisecretory effect is characterized by a long duration of action and a high antisecretory potency. In contrast to other antisecretory drugs, omeprazole has a novel mechanism of action. It interferes with the proton pump in the secretory membrane of the parietal cell, the H⁺K⁺ATPase, an enzyme unique to the gastric mucosa. Due to the strong and long lasting antisecretory activity, a high anti-ulcer potency should be expected.

In this comparative dose study, the anti-ulcer effect of oral omeprazole, 20 or 30 mg, taken once daily was investigated in 115 duodenal ulcer patients.