Special Alerts:

[UPDATE 12/11/2007] FDA informed healthcare professionals of the issuance of the Agency’s follow-up communication regarding its review of safety data for the drugs omeprazole (Prilosec) and esomeprazole (Nexium) that raised concerns about a potential increased risk of heart problems for patients treated with these drugs. The Agency conducted a comprehensive review of the data from two studies that were submitted to FDA. FDA continues to believe that long-term use of omeprazole or esomeprazole is not likely to be associated with an increased risk of heart problems and recommends that healthcare providers continue to prescribe and patients continue to use these products in the manner described in the labeling for the two products. See the “Update of Safety Review” for information regarding the two studies that were reviewed. For more information visit the FDA website at: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#Omeprazole and http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/early_comm/omeprazole_esomepazole_update.htm.

[Posted August 09, 2007] FDA issued an early communication about the ongoing review of new safety data for the proton pump inhibitors, omeprazole (Prilosec) and esomeprazole (Nexium). The new safety data was from two small long-term clinical studies in patients with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In both studies, patients were randomly assigned to receive treatment with a drug (either omeprazole or esomeprazole) or to have surgery to control their GERD.

The results from the study of omeprazole and analyses from an ongoing study of esomeprazole raised concerns that long-term use of omeprazole or esomeprazole may have increased the risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and heart-related sudden death in those patients taking either one of the drugs compared to patients who received surgery. After reviewing these and other data submitted by the company, FDA’s preliminary conclusion at this time, is that collectively, these data do not suggest an increased risk of heart problems for patients treated with omeprazole or esomeprazole. Healthcare providers should not change their prescribing practices and patients should not change their use of these products at this time.

Both drugs are used for the treatment of GERD, esophageal erosions and for maintenance of healing erosions of the esophagus. They are also used for the treatment of ulcers. Omeprazole is also sold over the counter for frequent heartburn. For more information visit the FDA website at: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#Omeprazole and http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/early_comm/omeprazole_esomeprazole.htm.