New York, June 28, 2000 (Praxis Press) Clinical studies showing the superiority of proton pump inhibitors over histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) in the treatment of severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have not been extended to patients with the milder nonerosive form of the condition, which accounts for the majority of GERD cases. According to a new study, the proton pump inhibitor lansoprazole is more effective than the H2RA ranitidine or a placebo for milder (nonerosive) forms of GERD (see paper). The two randomized, eight-week double-blind trials of patients with nonerosive symptomatic reflux disease show that lansoprazole therapy at a dosage of either 15 or 30 mg taken once daily is significantly more effective than the ranitidine therapy and the placebo in reducing the frequency and severity of heartburn, and the need for antacid therapy. These data indicate that the use of lansoprazole and other proton pump inhibitors...