Efficacy and Safety Study of Esomeprazole 20mg qd vs Ranitidine 150mg Bid in Patients With an NSAID-induced Gastric Ulcer

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Double-dummy, Parallel-group, 8 Week Comparative Efficacy and Safety Study of Esomeprazole 20 mg Every Day (qd) Versus Ranitidine 150 mg Twice a Day (Bid) in Patients With an NSAID-associated Gastric Ulcer When Daily NSAID is Continued

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of esomeprazole 20 mg dosed once daily and ranitidine 150 mg dosed twice daily through 4 weeks of treatment for the healing of gastric ulcers in patients receiving daily non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Signed informed consent.
• A clinical diagnosis of a chronic condition that requires daily NSAID treatment for at least 2 months.
• Daily NSAID dose and type must have been stable for at least 2 weeks prior to the baseline endoscopy;orally;

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of esophageal, gastric or duodenal surgery, except for simple closure of an ulcer.
• History of severe liver disease, including (but not limited to) cirrhosis and acute or chronic hepatitis.