Prilosec Helps Control Bleeding in Ulcer Patients

Only 19.1 percent of people in the Prilosec group needed endoscopic treatment (therapy delivered through the scope), compared to 28.4 percent in the placebo group.

Treatment with Prilosec resulted in earlier hospital discharges: Just over 60 percent of patients in the Prilosec group had a stay of less than three days, compared with 49.2 percent in the placebo group.

And fewer patients in the Prilosec group had actively bleeding ulcers when the scope was inserted. "Bleeding had stopped by the time the endoscopy was performed in those patients receiving omeprazole," Pohl said.

"These patients had less bleeding when they (doctors) took a look, so they had to do less intervention and actually found that the patients got out of the hospital sooner, significantly sooner. So, that's good news," Pohl said.

More studies should be conducted, however, before the approach becomes standard practice, Pohl added.

More information

Visit the American Gastroenterological Association for more on endoscopy.

SOURCES: James Y.W. Lau M.D., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong; John Pohl, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, College Station, and vice chairman of pediatric education in pediatric gastroenterology, Scott & White Hospital; April 19, 2007,New England Journal of Medicine