Nasogastric lansoprazole is effective in suppressing gastric acid secretion in critically ill patients

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effect of nasogastric lansoprazole on acid suppression in critically ill patients. Methods: Patients were eligible for the study if they had a nasogastric tube in place and had not received acid-suppressive agents for 3 days prior to enrolment into the study. Patients with active gastrointestinal bleeding or a baseline gastric pH > 4.0 were excluded. Patients served as their own controls during a 24 h lead-in period. Lansoprazole 30 mg was administered once daily with water through a nasogastric tube for 2 days. Intragastric pH was measured by continuous 24 h pH-metry for 3 days. Results: Fifteen patients were enrolled into the study. The baseline median 24 h intragastric pH was 2.25 ± 1.01, and increased to 6.70 ± 0.82 (P = 0.001) after 2 days of lansoprazole. Mean percentage of time intragastric pH was ≥ 4.0 was 25 ± 13% at baseline, and increased to 84 ± 14% (P = 0.001) after 2 days of lansoprazole. Conclusions: Nasogastric lansoprazole 30 mg daily is effective in suppressing gastric acid secretion in critically ill patients.