| Theme |
Comparison of PPIs and H2RAs in the Actions and Suitable Use for the Diseases |
| Title |
Effect of Drug Formulas on Activity of Proton Pump Inhibitors |
| Author |
Yoshikazu Kinoshita |
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shimane University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Masaharu Miki |
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shimane University School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are unstable in acidic environments. Therefore, they are covered with an acid stable coating so they will not be degraded in gastric juice. Three kinds of PPIs are available in Japan. Two of them are tablets covered with an acid stable coating (single unit tablets) and the other one is multi-unit capsules packed with acid stable micro-granules. The coating of the capsules easily dissolves in gastric juice and acid stable granules are released in the stomach. Although, it is easily to manufacture small single unit tablets, tablets over 2 mm in diameter have difficulty passing though the stomach in a short period. On the other hand, multi-unit enteric-coated drugs easily pass through the stomach and are quickly absorbed in the intestines. Thus, multi-unit enteric-coated granules of PPI under the size of 2 mm display their acid suppressing effect more quickly than standard-sized enteric-coated single unit tablets. |