Thirty-two studies were included in the review. The number of patients in each study was not reported.
Lansoprazole versus other PPIs.
Studies found that 30 mg lansoprazole was superior to 20 mg omeprazole for the healing of oesophagitis (1 study) and symptom relief of GERD (1 study). Similar efficacy was reported for 30 mg lansoprazole, 20 or 40 mg omeprazole (2 studies), or 40 mg pantoprazole (1 study) in the healing of oesophagitis. Lansoprazole 30 mg was inferior to 20 mg omeprazole for the prevention of relapse of oesophagitis and stricture (1 study), but was similar to omeprazole for the maintenance of healing of oesophagitis (2 studies). Lansoprazole 30 mg demonstrated similar efficacy to 20 mg omeprazole for the healing and maintenance of healing of ulcers (2 studies). Lansoprazole 15 mg was less effective than a dose of 30 mg in the healing of erosive oesophagitis (1 study), but had similar efficacy in the healing and maintenance of healing of ulcers (1 study).
Pantoprazole versus other PPIs.
The healing rates were similar for standard doses of 40 mg pantoprazole and 20 mg omeprazole (3 studies).
Rabeprazole versus other PPIs.
The efficacy of 20 mg rabeprazole was similar to that of 20 mg omeprazole for all outcomes (3 studies). A dose of 10 mg rabeprazole had similar efficacy to one of 20 mg in the maintenance of healing of GERD (1 study).
Esomeprazole versus other PPIs.
Studies found that 40 mg esomeprazole was superior to 20 mg omeprazole (2 studies) and 30 mg lansoprazole (1 study)in the healing of oesophagitis and time to sustained heartburn relief (3 studies). A dose of 20 mg esomeprazole had similar efficacy to one of 40 mg in the relief of symptoms of GERD (2 studies).
Omeprazole.
Studies found that 10 mg omeprazole was less effective than 20 mg in the treatment of GERD symptoms (1 study), but had similar efficacy in symptom relief in people without oesophagitis (1 study). A dose of 20 mg omeprazole had similar efficacy to one of 40 mg in symptom relief in people without oesophagitis (1 study), whereas 40 mg omeprazole was more effective than 20 mg for the healing of gastric ulcers (1 study).