Review article: comparative pharmacodynamic review of rabeprazole – focus on day 1 data

Proton pump inhibitors have become the preferred therapy for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and other acid-related disorders. Without clear-cut clinical data to help clinicians differentiate the impact of the five currently available proton pump inhibitors on early symptom relief and health-related quality of life, we can explore potentially relevant differences in pharmacodynamic profiles of these proton pump inhibitors.

In general, rabeprazole 10 and 20 mg achieve greater gastric pH >4 and >3 holding times and area under gastric pH–time curves on day 1 of treatment compared with other proton pump inhibitors.

Superiority in day 1 pharmacodynamic measures corroborates fast antisecretory onset, and supports the premise that rabeprazole will be especially suitable for on-demand use. In particular, comparisons with omeprazole and esomeprazole suggest better day 1 nocturnal acid control with rabeprazole.