The Effect of 20 Mg Omeprazole Daily on Serum Gastrin, 24-H Intragastric Acidity, and Bile Acid Concentration in Duodenal Ulcer Patients

Serum gastrin, 24-h intragastric acidity, and bile acid concentrations were measured during physiologic conditions in 10 patients with duodenal ulcer disease. Omeprazole, 20 mg daily, for 8 days reduced acidity by greater than or equal to 99% in six patients and by 47-54% in four patients. The degree of acid reduction was related to the area under the plasma omeprazole concentration time curve (AUC). Serum gastrin levels were not significantly increased by omeprazole. Intragastric bile acid concentrations were increased by omeprazole, but this seems to be of little importance for the healing of duodenal ulcers.