This monograph contains a description of the discovery and development of a new antisecretory therapy in the treatment of acid-related disea ses: omeprazole, the first proton pump inhibitor. The pharmacology of different proton pump inhibitors, the pharmaceutic delivery system and the clinical experience with proton pump inhibitors is reviewed. The book is aimed at a broad readership with an interest in the developme nt problems of this, at present, most commercially successful drug; th e pharmacology of a ttailor-madev drug for a specific target; the ther apeutic strategies in acid-related...

Inhibition of the proton pump in the parietal cells has been established as the main therapeutic principle in the treatment of acid-related diseases, such as peptic ulcer and gastro-oesophageal reflux. The proton pump inhi- bitors are tailored for their purpose. They accumulate in the target cell, are activated by acid and bind strongly to the specific target - the proton pump. The clinical superiority of the proton pump inhibitors is due not only to their high efficacy but also to the long duration of the acid inhibition in comparison with other antisecretory drugs. At present when drug...