In Brief: EXCULPATIONS AND EXPLANATIONS - Astra-Merck's Prilosec (omeprazole)

Executive Summary

EXCULPATIONS AND EXPLANATIONS - Astra-Merck's Prilosec (omeprazole): International study results included in labeling for maintenance therapy of healed erosive esophagitis show that 77% (n=131) of the patients on 20 mg q.d. of Prilosec were in endoscopic remission at 12 months (p=.01), compared to 46% (n=128) of Zantac (Glaxo's ranitidine) patients, who received 150 mg b.i.d. A previous story in "The Pink Sheet" misread the comparison between Prilosec 20 mg, Prilosec 10 mg, and Zantac, overstating the percentage of ranitidine patients in remission...