Impact of Timing on the Efficacy of Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate Zegerid 40 mg in Healing Reflux Esophagitis

Hypothesis: The timing of administration of omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate (Zegerid) will impact nocturnal esophageal acid exposure and healing of esophagitis. Specifically, we hypothesize that omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate, taken at bedtime, will be superior in healing esophagitis compared to omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate taken in the morning.

Specific Aim: Compare the percent of subjects with moderate/severe esophagitis who achieve complete endoscopic resolution after 8 weeks of treatment (morning vs. bedtime).

Intervention: All subjects received a one-on-one educational session describing the normal physiology of the upper gastrointestinal tract, the pathophysiology of hiatal hernia and reflux esophagitis, and food stuffs that contribute to reflux, prior to their invitation to participate in the trial. Outpatients who underwent a clinically indicated esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) as advised by their primary health care provider in an open-access endoscopy unit who were diagnosed with Los Angeles grade C or D erosive reflux esophagitis were invited to participate.

Omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate powder for oral suspension 40 mg was supplied in individual packets that are emptied into a small cup containing 15-30 ml (1-2 tablespoons) of water, one per day, for 8 weeks. They were asked to stir well and drink immediately then refill the cup with water and drink. Subjects assigned to morning dosing were instructed to take the medication on an empty stomach, immediately upon rising, 20 to 60 minutes prior to chewing a solid. Subjects assigned to bedtime dosing were instructed to keep the medication by their bedside; taking the medication in a standing or seated upright position immediately before turning off the lights with the intention to sleep. The subject was instructed to not use other liquids or foods for 20 minutes after taking their study medication for those allocated to morning dosing, and until the next morning for those allocated to bedtime dosing.

Gelusil™ was distributed for use as an "on demand" rescue antacid; the frequency of use was recorded with the plan to use Gelusil™ consumption as a potential confounder of omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate efficacy. Other antacids, including sodium bicarbonate, magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, and sucralfate were prohibited. Subjects taking non-omeprazole proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and/or Histamine Receptor Antagonist (HRAs) were advised to discontinue these medications while they participated in this study. No other medication was altered for this study.