Is omeprazole helpful in inflammatory bowel disease?

Omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, was added to the treatment regimen of seven patients with biopsy proven inflammatory bowel disease. Six of the seven patients showed a marked clinical improvement in symptoms, especially pain and diarrhea after starting omeprazole. One of the six is using omeprazole as her sole medication for her colitis currently. Others have been able to decrease steroid doses. A possible mechanism of action relates the similar chemical structure of omeprazole to metronidazole which is efficacious in colitis.