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NEW
ROCHELLE, NY — August 11, 2003
The proton pump inhibitor omeprazole magnesium (Prilosec OTC)
was recently
approved by the FDA for over-the-counter use as treatment of frequent
heartburn. If you suffer from heartburn and are looking for an over-the-counter
treatment, is Prilosec OTC the answer to your troubles? Probably
not, according to The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics.
Omeprazole
magnesium (Prilosec OTC) is effective for prevention of frequent
heartburn, but can take days to relieve symptoms. The over-the-counter
labeling warns against using the product for more than 14 days,
but in clinical studies within five days of stopping the drug, the
incidence of heartburn was the same as in patients who took a placebo.
"While
no studies are available comparing omeprazole magnesium with H2-blockers
such as Tagamet HB, Pepcid and Zantac, an H2-blocker
with or without an antacid is preferred for prevention or acute
treatment of sporadic symptoms because they usually relieve symptoms
in 45-60 minutes," said Gianna Zuccotti, Deputy Editor of The
Medical Letter.
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The Medical Letter Inc., a nonprofit organization founded in 1958,
offers health care professionals objective, independent analyses
of both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. In addition to
its newsletters, The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics
and Treatment Guidelines from The Medical Letter, it
also publishes handbooks and software on topics such as adverse
drug interactions and antimicrobial therapy. The Medical Letter,
Inc., is supported entirely by subscriber fees and is based in New
Rochelle, NY. For more information about The Medical Letter call
(800) 211-2769 or visit their Web site at www.medicalletter.org.
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