Omeprazole/Tegaserod and Gastric Emptying

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) effectively suppressstomach acidity and are widely used in treating gastroesophagealreflux disease and related conditions.Omeprazole and other PPIs, however, can delaygastric emptying. In a study published in AlimentaryPharmacology & Therapeutics (July 2005), GervaisTougas, MD, FRCPC, et al tested the hypothesis thattreatment with tegaserod normalizes or preventsomeprazole-induced delayed gastric emptying. Forthe study, 40 healthy men were treated with omeprazole(20 mg bid) and either tegaserod (6 mg tid) orplacebo for 14 days. Gastric emptying was assessedby scintigraphy before and after treatment.

Omeprazole monotherapy significantly delayedgastric emptying expressed by duration of lag phase(P < .007), time to gastric half-emptying (P < .003), andgastric retention of the meal at 60 minutes (P < .002)and 120 minutes (P < .04) after ingestion. Combinationtherapy with tegaserod and omeprazole safelyand effectively prevented the development of delayedgastric emptying induced by omeprazole.