Early effects of lafutidine or rabeprazole on intragastric acidity: which drug is more suitable for on-demand use?

Background Medication for the relief of heartburn should have the rapid onset of action required for on-demand use. We studied the inhibition of gastric acid secretion by lafutidine and rabeprazole, given in single doses to fasting and postprandial subjects. Methods A total of 22 healthy male, Helicobacter pylori -negative volunteers participated in this randomized, two-way crossover study. They were randomly assigned to receive a single oral dose of 10 mg lafutidine or 20 mg rabeprazole after fasting overnight (12 subjects, fasting study) or after eating a test meal (noodles, 364 kcal; protein, 10.1 g; fat, 16 g; carbohydrates, 44.9 g; NaCl, 1.1 g; 10 subjects, postprandial study). Intragastric pH was monitored continuously for 6 h after treatment. The other drug was given after a washout period of at least 7 days, and intragastric pH was similarly monitored. Results In the fasting study, lafutidine sustained pH at >3 and >4 during the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth hours of the study for significantly longer than rabeprazole. During the first 6 h after treatment, lafutidine sustained pH at more than 2, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, 6, and 7 longer than rabeprazole. In the postprandial study, lafutidine sustained pH >3 and >4 for longer periods than rabeprazole during the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth hours of the study. During the first 6 h after treatment, lafutidine sustained pH at more than 2, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, 6, and 7 longer than rabeprazole. Conclusions Lafutidine 10 mg produces a prompter rise in intragastric pH than rabeprazole 20 mg in fasting and postprandial Helicobacter pylori -negative male subjects.