Clinical pharmacology and safety profile of esomeprazole, the first enantiomerically pure proton pump inhibitor.

Awareness of important differences in the pharmacological profile of individual optical isomers of chiral drugs led to the development of esomeprazole, the S-isomer of omeprazole, a new pharmacological entity designed to improve the clinical outcome of available proton pump inhibitors in the management of acid-related disorders. The superior acid control achieved by esomeprazole is mainly due to an advantageous metabolism compared with racemate omeprazole, leading to improved bioavailability and to enhanced delivery of the drug to the gastric proton pump.