Managing heartburn at the 'base' of the GERD 'iceberg': Effervescent ranitidine 150 mg b.d. provides faster and better heartburn relief than antacids

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Abstract

Background: Many individuals with heartburn self-medicate with antacids for relief of their symptoms. Aim: To compare efficacy of effervescent ranitidine to as-needed calcium carbonate antacids in subjects who self-treat heartburn. Methods: A total of 155 subjects with frequent antacid-responsive heartburn were randomized to receive effervescent ranitidine 150 mg tablets b.d., or as-needed calcium carbonate 750 mg for 12 weeks. Endoscopic oesophagitis severity and mucosal histology were assessed at baseline, and at weeks 6 and 12. Heartburn frequency, severity, and antacid consumption were recorded daily, and quality of life was assessed at baseline, and at weeks 6 and 12. Results: Heartburn frequency and severity were significantly decreased after 1 day of ranitidine (P < 0.02). By week 6, ranitidine had significantly decreased rescue antacid consumption (7.3 tablets, P < 0.001) vs. antacids (14.1 tablets). Endoscopic oesophagitis healing (≤ grade 1) was significantly better with ranitidine (55%, P = 0.022) vs. antacids (29%). Quality of life was improved by both treatments; however, ranitidine was numerically superior for all quality of life parameters, statistically superior for several quality of life indices at week 6 and for the pain-related index by week 12 (P < 0.05). Conclusions: For subjects self-administering antacids for chronic heartburn, effervescent ranitidine 150 mg b.d. is more effective than antacids in reducing heartburn, healing erosive oesophagitis, alleviating pain, and improving quality of life.

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Earnest, D., Robinson, M., Rodriguez-Stanley, S., Ciociola, A. A., Jaffe, P., Silver, M. T., … Murdock, R. H. (2000). Managing heartburn at the “base” of the GERD “iceberg”: Effervescent ranitidine 150 mg b.d. provides faster and better heartburn relief than antacids. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 14(7), 911–918. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2036.2000.00785.x

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