ST LOUIS (MD Consult) - On December 1, 2009, Merck announced that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved Zegerid OTC (omeprazole 20 mg/sodium bicarbonate 1100 mg capsules), an over-the-counter product for use as treatment for frequent heartburn. Zegerid OTC capsules will be available in their original prescription formula. The product contains a patented dual-ingredient formulation that combines the leading prescription acid-reducing medication omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, with sodium bicarbonate.

According to a press release by Merck, the occurrence of heartburn is considered frequent if it occurs more often than twice weekly. Zegerid OTC is intended to be taken once daily for a 14-day course of treatment.

Zegerid OTC is expected to be available at drug stores, grocery stores, mass merchandisers, and club stores in the first half of 2010.

圣路易斯(MD Consult)——2009年12月1日，默克公司宣布，美国食品药品管理局已批准Zegerid (奥美拉唑20 mg/碳酸氢钠1,100 mg胶囊)为治疗频繁发作的胃灼热的非处方药物。Zegerid OTC胶囊的供应形式仍为原始处方剂型。该产品包含一种获得专利的二元混剂，将一线抗酸处方药奥美拉唑(一种质子泵抑制剂)和碳酸氢钠结合。

 

根据默克公司发布的新闻稿，如胃灼热每周发作两次以上即视为频繁发作。Zegerid OTC用法为每日口服1次，14天为一疗程。

 

预计到2010年上半年，人们将可以在药店、杂货店、超市和会员店购买到Zegerid OTC。