Comparison of the antisecretory effects of omeprazole when administered intravenously, as acid-stable granules and as an oral paste in horses.

The antisecretory activity of omeprazole on gastric acid when administered i.v., intragastrically or per os, was evaluated in 2 female and 3 castrated male horses. Each horse had been prepared with a chronic indwelling gastric cannula. A single i.v. administration of omeprazole (1.5 mg/kg bwt) was effective in abolishing basal and pentagastrin (PG)-stimulated acid secretion. Once daily, nasogastric administration of omeprazole in acid-stable granules for 5 days inhibited acid secretion in a dose-dependent manner: 57% (1.5 mg/kg bwt) and 98% (5.0 mg/kg bwt) reduction of PG-stimulated acid secretion. The degree of inhibition was maintained over a 19 day treatment period with once daily dosing. A prototype oral paste formulation containing either acid-stable omeprazole granules or uncoated omeprazole powder was equipotent when compared to a similar dosage of acid-stable omeprazole granules administered by nasogastric tube. A dose-dependent inhibition was seen with the oral paste formulation containing omeprazole powder: 55% (1.5 mg/kg bwt) and 77% (3.0 mg/kg bwt) reduction of PG-stimulated acid secretion after 5 days. Therefore, a paste formulation of omeprazole powder may offer an effective, easily administered, once daily acid inhibitory treatment for gastric ulcer disease in horses.