Optimal Dose of Omeprazole After Endoscopic Treatment of Bleeding Peptic Ulcers

Introduction

Peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) is a common and life threatening condition. Intravenous infusion of high dose omeprazole (80mg as bolus followed by 8 mg/hr for 72 hours ie 652 mg/72 hrs) after endoscopic therapy resulted in greater reductions of re-bleeding than did placebo. Thus the above regime became our departmental protocol. However, there is some evidence that both high dose and a regular dose of omeprazole (40mg once a day followed by a saline infusion ie 120mg/72 hrs) would be equally effective. We calculated that high dose regimen is about S$ 500 more expensive. The aim of our study is to determine the equivalence of both regimes in preventing re-bleeding rate (primary end-point), surgery and mortality in PUB patients.

Study design This is a single institution prospective randomized double-blind study. All patient with PUB (Forrest classification I, IIa and IIb: spurting or oozing bleeding, visible vessels and clot) had endoscopic treatments (adrenaline injection and/or heater probe). After successful endoscopic hemostasis, patients are randomized to receive a high or regular dose of omeprazole infusion. After 72 hours, both groups of patients are given oral omeprazole 40mg daily for 4 weeks. All patients are evaluated at the clinic at the end of 4 weeks. The primary end-point is rebleeding. Other secondary endpoints measured are surgery, duration of hospital stay and death.