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Final assessment of two small, long-term, open studies on patients with gastro-esphogeal reflux disease (GERD) comparing anti-reflux surgery with either Nexium or omeprazole was announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA concluded that "long-term use of these drugs is not likely to be associated with an increased risk of heart problems. FDA recommends that health care providers continue to prescribe, and patients continue to use, these products as described in the labeling for the two drugs."

AstraZeneca, manufacturer of Nexium, agreed with the FDA's findings and further agreed that the overall risk/benefit profiles of omeprazole and Nexium remain unchanged and continues to be confident in the safety of both drugs.

AstraZeneca's tradenames for omeprzole include Losec, Prilosec, Antra and Mopral.

GERD erodes the esophageal lining causing a condition called esophagitis.

[Source: PRNewsWire]