Phase III Study Comparing Zegerid® With Losec® for the Relief of Heartburn Associated With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Condition: Gastroesophageal Reflux
MeSH terms: Gastroesophageal Reflux; Esophagitis, Peptic; Heartburn
Intervention: Zegerid; Losec
Intervention description: 20 mg Zegerid suspension to be taken when heartburn occurs. Maximum one dose per day on 3 out of 14 days.; 20 mg Losec capsule to be taken when heartburn occurs. Maximum one dose per day on 3 out of 14 days.
Intervention MeSH terms: Omeprazole, sodium bicarbonate drug combination
Phase: Phase 3
Study type: Interventional
Primary purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Enrollment: 239.0
Sex: All
Minimum age: 18 Years
Maximum age: 75 Years
Healthy volunteers: No

Summary:

      Heartburn is the main symptom of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), which, accompanied
      by acid regurgitation and other symptoms, has a substantial negative impact on a patients'
      quality of life. Although a number of treatment options are available, a more effective
      therapy is still required. The failure of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to completely resolve
      symptoms is an accepted problem, with approximately 25% of patients with GERD continuing to
      experience the symptoms of heartburn in spite of treatment. This study aims to demonstrate an
      earlier onset to relief of symptoms in patients suffering from heartburn associated with GERD
      using an immediate-release omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate formulation when compared with
      delayed-release omeprazole (Losec®).
    

Eligibility criteria:

        Inclusion Criteria:

        Study patients will be included in the study if they satisfy the following criteria:

          1. Male or female, between 18 and 75 years old.

          2. History of frequent episodes of heartburn associated with GERD for at least 2 3 days
             per week during 2-4 weeks before screening and have responded to standard PPI therapy
             in the past 12 months.

          3. Have not taken on-demand PPI therapy for > 3 consecutive days within 4 weeks before
             the screening period.

          4. The patient's written informed consent must be obtained prior to inclusion.

          5. Willing and able to complete the entire procedure and to comply with study
             instructions.

          6. Females of childbearing potential must employ an adequate method of birth control.

        Inclusion criteria applicable to Screening period:

          1. Recorded at least 1 evaluable episode of heartburn on 2 separate days at level 4 or
             higher on the 9-point Likert severity scale (point 3 on a 0-8 point scale) prior to
             randomisation.

          2. Competent in the use and completion of the e-diary.

        Exclusion Criteria:

        Study patients will be excluded if they meet any of the following criteria:

          1. Age < 18 or > 75 years old.

          2. Intake of any medication for the purpose of the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H.
             pylori) during the last 28 days before the start of the study.

          3. Intake of systemic glucocorticoids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
             including COX-2-inhibitors (≥ 3 consecutive days per week) during the last 28 days
             before the start of the study; except regular intake of enteric coated aspirin dosages
             up to 150 mg/d.

          4. Previously underwent acid-lowering surgery or other surgery of the oesophagus and/or
             upper gastrointestinal tract (excluding: appendectomy, cholecystectomy and
             polypectomy).

          5. History of co-existing disease that affects the oesophagus (e.g. Barrett's oesophagus,
             Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, oesophageal stricture), and have undergone an endoscopy
             with results of incomplete healing of erosions following standard PPI therapy within
             the last 3 months.

          6. History of active gastric or duodenal ulcers within 3 months of the first dose of the
             study drug or had acute upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding within last 6 months.

          7. Documented presence of severe renal or hepatic insufficiency.

          8. Known hypersensitivity to omeprazole.

          9. Concurrent participation in a study with an investigational drug or participation
             within 30 days of study entry.

         10. Females who are pregnant, or planning a pregnancy. Females of child bearing potential
             not using reliable methods of birth control.

         11. Clinically significant laboratory abnormality or disease which, in the opinion of the
             Investigator, will create a risk for the patient, obscure the effects of study
             treatment or interfere with study results.

         12. Received or require any of the following drugs within 2 weeks before the first dose of
             study or continue to need these drugs for concurrent therapy: theophylline, bismuth
             salts, warfarin, phenytoin, tacrolimus, diazepam, cyclosporine, disulfiram,
             benzodiazepines, barbiturates, antineoplastic agents, erythromycin, clarithromycin,
             sucralfate, clopidogrel or protease inhibitors.

         13. Taking concomitant medications that rely on the presence of gastric acid for optimal
             bioavailability (e.g. ketoconazole, ampicillin esters or iron salts).

         14. Onset of psychoactive medication (e.g. depressants, stimulants or hallucinogens) in
             the previous 6 months and during the entire course of the study.

        Exclusion criteria applicable to Screening period:

          1. Recorded < 1 episode of heartburn on 2 separate days at level 4 on the 9 point Likert
             severity scale (point 3 on a 0-8 point scale) during the 7 day screening period prior
             to randomisation

          2. Completing < 90% (< 9 out of 10) of the time points with evaluable data on the e
             diary.