A Multicenter, Randomized, Double Blind, Double Dummy, Parallel-Group Efficacy Study Comparing 8 Weeks of Treatment With Esomeprazole Magnesium (40mg qd) to Lansoprazole (30mg qd) for the Healing of Erosive Esophagitis in Patients With Moderate or Severe Erosive Esophagitis

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double Blind, Double Dummy, Parallel-Group Efficacy Study Comparing 8 Weeks of Treatment With Esomeprazole Magnesium (40mg qd) to Lansoprazole (30mg qd) for the Healing of Erosive Esophagitis in Patients With Moderate or Severe Erosive Esophagitis.

This study looks at the healing rates in patients with Erosive Esophagitis (EE) when treated with either esomeprazole or lansoprazole

Inclusion Criteria:

• Episodes of heartburn (described as a burning feeling, rising from the stomach or lower part of the chest up towards the neck) for 2 days or more during the last 7 days prior to baseline.
• Confirmed Erosive Esophagitis within 1 week prior to starting the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any signs of gastrointestinal bleeding at the time of the starting the study.
• Any previous gastric or esophageal surgery.
• Various gastrointestinal diseases as listed in the protocol.