Oral rabeprazole vs. intravenous pantoprazole: a comparison of the effect on intragastric pH in healthy subjects

BACKGROUND: Intravenous pantoprazole is often administered inappropriately to hospitalized patients who can take oral medications. AIM: To compare the antisecretory effects of oral rabeprazole and intravenous pantoprazole in healthy subjects. METHODS: In a double-blind, double-dummy, two-way crossover study, 38 Helicobacter pylori-negative volunteers were randomized to oral rabeprazole 20 mg or intravenous pantoprazole 40 mg daily for 3 days followed, after a 14-day washout period by the comparator treatment. Intragastric pH was recorded continuously for 24 h at baseline and on days 1 and 3 of each treatment period. RESULTS: The mean (95% CI) percentage of the 24-h recording with gastric pH >4 was higher with rabeprazole than with pantoprazole on day 1: 37.7% (30.6-44.8%) vs. 23.9% (20.0-27.8). The mean percentage times with pH >3 and >4 for all intervals assessed were greater and the median 24-h intragastric pH values were higher with rabeprazole than with pantoprazole on days 1 and 3. The mean acidity index was lower with rabeprazole on days 1 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: Oral rabeprazole 20 mg produced greater acid suppression than intravenous pantoprazole 40 mg. Therefore, it may be an appropriate and effective alternative in patients who can take oral medication.