Omeprazole for kids
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Omeprazole Use in Pediatric Patients: Efficacy, Safety, and Pharmacokinetics
Introduction to Omeprazole in Pediatric Treatment
Omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), is widely used to treat acid-related disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and erosive esophagitis in children. This article synthesizes current research on the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of omeprazole in pediatric patients.
Efficacy of Omeprazole in Treating Pediatric GERD and Esophagitis
Symptom Relief and Healing Rates
Omeprazole has been shown to be highly effective in treating GERD and erosive esophagitis in children. Studies report significant symptom relief, with a median relief rate of 80.4% and endoscopic healing rates of 84% after 8 weeks and 95% after 12 weeks of treatment5. Additionally, omeprazole has been effective in children with severe esophagitis, with significant clinical and endoscopic improvements observed after 3 months of treatment6.
Dosage Requirements
The dosage of omeprazole required for effective treatment in children is generally higher on a per kilogram basis compared to adults. Healing doses range from 0.7 to 3.5 mg/kg/day, with the initial dose of 1 mg/kg/day being most consistently effective in healing esophagitis and providing symptom relief1 4. This higher dosage requirement is attributed to the higher metabolic capacity in younger children2 9.
Safety and Tolerability of Omeprazole in Children
Adverse Effects
Omeprazole is well tolerated in pediatric patients, with a low incidence of adverse effects reported across various studies. In a multicenter study, omeprazole was found to be safe and effective for the treatment of erosive esophagitis, even in children who had failed previous treatments4. However, some studies noted that histologic healing might lag behind clinical and endoscopic improvements, indicating a need for careful monitoring6.
Long-term Use
While short-term use of omeprazole has been well documented, long-term safety data are still limited. Future controlled clinical trials are necessary to establish the long-term safety and efficacy of omeprazole in pediatric patients1.
Pharmacokinetics of Omeprazole in Pediatric Patients
Metabolic Capacity and Dosage Adjustments
Pharmacokinetic studies reveal that children, especially those aged 1-6 years, have a higher metabolic capacity for omeprazole, necessitating higher doses per kilogram of body weight compared to adults2 9. Plasma levels, area under the curve (AUC), and maximal plasma concentration (Cmax) are generally lower in younger children, which supports the need for higher dosing in this age group2.
Intravenous Administration
In critical situations where oral administration is not feasible, intravenous omeprazole has been studied. A dose of 40 mg/1.73 m² was found to be effective in maintaining a 24-hour gastric pH of more than 4, compared to a lower dose of 20 mg/1.73 m²7.
Development of Pediatric Formulations
Liquid Formulations
Given the challenges of administering solid dosage forms to children, research has focused on developing stable liquid formulations of omeprazole. One study successfully developed omeprazole-loaded nanoparticles, which showed promising results in protecting against ulcer formation in animal models, indicating potential for pediatric use3 8.
Conclusion
Omeprazole is a highly effective and well-tolerated treatment for acid-related disorders in children, including GERD and erosive esophagitis. Higher doses per kilogram are often required due to the increased metabolic capacity in younger children. While short-term safety is well established, further research is needed to confirm the long-term safety and efficacy of omeprazole in pediatric patients. Advances in liquid formulations may improve administration and compliance in younger children.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
A review of omeprazole use in the treatment of acid-related disorders in children.
Omeprazole has been effective and well-tolerated for treating esophageal and peptic ulcer disease in children, particularly those who failed to respond to previous treatment with histamine2-receptor antagonists.
Systematic ReviewPharmacokinetics of orally administered omeprazole in children
Orally administered omeprazole in children has a higher metabolic capacity with decreasing age, leading to higher doses per kilogram of body weight compared to adults.
Highly CitedOmeprazole nanoparticles suspension: development of a stable liquid formulation with a view to pediatric administration.
Omeprazole nanoparticles suspension effectively protects mice stomachs against ulcer formation, offering a potential pediatric-friendly liquid pharmaceutical form for treating gastric hypersecretion disorders.
Non-RCT
Animal StudyOmeprazole for treatment of chronic erosive esophagitis in children: a multicenter study of efficacy, safety, tolerability and dose requirements. International Pediatric Omeprazole Study Group.
Omeprazole is well-tolerated, highly effective, and safe for treating erosive esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux in children, with higher doses needed for healing compared to adults.
Observational StudyHighly CitedDelayed-release oral suspension of omeprazole for the treatment of erosive esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease in pediatric patients: a review
Omeprazole at a dose of 0.3 to 3.5 mg/kg once daily for at least 12 weeks is highly effective in treating childhood esophagitis, providing symptom relief, reduced reflux index, and improved endoscopic healing rates.
Systematic Review
Rigorous JournalOmeprazole for severe reflux esophagitis in children.
Omeprazole is effective in short-term treatment of severe esophagitis in children, with a simplified body-weight-based daily dosage, but persistent histologic features may indicate poor outcome.
Non-RCTIntravenous Omeprazole in Children: Pharmacokinetics and Effect on 24-Hour Intragastric pH
Intravenous omeprazole doses of 40 mg/1.73 m2 are more effective in maintaining 24-hour gastric pH of more than 4 in infants than 20 mg/1.73 m2.
Non-RCTOmeprazole nanoparticles suspension: Development of a stable liquid formulation with a view to pediatric administration
Omeprazole nanoparticles suspension effectively protects mice stomachs from ulcer formation, offering a potential pediatric-friendly liquid pharmaceutical form for treating gastric hypersecretion disorders.
Non-RCTAnimal StudyPharmacokinetics of orally administered omeprazole in children. International Pediatric Omeprazole Pharmacokinetic Group.
Higher doses of omeprazole are needed per kilogram of body weight in children compared to adults, with higher metabolic capacity at 1-6 years of age.
Observational StudyOmeprazole Disposition in Children following Single‐Dose Administration
Omeprazole disposition in children ages 2-16 years is comparable to adults, with no significant association between genotype and pharmacokinetics.
Observational Study