Comparison of the effectiveness of rabeprazole original and generic products in the monotherapy of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Aim. To compare the effectiveness of rabeprazole original and generic products in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) using impedance-pH monitoring.

Materials and methods. Patients (n=35) diagnosed with GERD were divided into two groups. Group 1 patients (n=17, 45.2±1.7 years) received the rabeprazole original product (Pariet) 20 mg/day; Group 2 patients (n=18, 48.1±1.9 years) received 20 mg/day of a generic product. On Day 10 of therapy, all patients underwent 24-hour esophagus impedance-pH monitoring (Ohmega, Medical Measurement Systems, the Netherlands). The percentage of time with pH<4 in the esophagus, the total number and number of acidic, slightly acidic and slightly alkaline gastroesophageal refluxes (GERs), the latency period, and the duration of rabeprazole action were analyzed. The clinical efficacy of the drug was assessed using the GerdQ questionnaire. Statistical data were processed using Microsoft Office 2010 (Excel) and Biostat 2000 software packages.

Results. No significant differences were noted between the two groups of patients by gender, age, body mass index, smoking frequency, and GERD type (p>0.05). The average duration of action of the rabeprazole original product was significantly higher than that of the generics (13.2±0.6 and 8.8±0.7 h, respectively, p<0.05). In the rabeprazole original product group, compared to the generics group, the following values were lower: total GERs – 47.0 [43.3; 60.0] and 71.8 [54.3; 95.0], respectively, p<0.05; percentage of time with intraesophageal pH<4 – 1.8 [0.5; 2.3] and 2.1 [0.3; 6.8], respectively, p<0.05; the number of acidic GERs – 4.7 [2.2; 12.0] and 23.3 [12.6; 32.0], respectively, p<0.05. The total GerdQ questionnaire score in Group 1 was significantly lower than in Group 2 (5.4±0.1 vs 6.9±0.4, respectively; p>0.05).

Conclusion. In treating GERD with the rabeprazole original product compared to generics, a significantly longer duration of acid production suppression, a more pronounced decrease in esophageal acidification, and a more statistically significant clinical improvement were observed.