Effects of intramuscular omeprazole on gastric acid secretion in horses over a twenty-four hour period.

The effect of intramuscular (i.m.) omeprazole (0.25 or 1.0 mg/kg bwt; LD and HD), respectively, on volume, total acid output (TAO) and pH of the gastric juice was studied during 24 h in 5 horses with a chronically implanted gastric cannula. Whether secretion in controls was basal or stimulated with pentagastrin (8 micrograms/kg bwt/h), volume (NS) and TAO (P < 0.01, NS) gradually decreased and pH increased (P < 0.05, NS). Omeprazole significantly reduced the average basal TAO by 49 +/- 6% (LD) and 88 +/- 3% (HD) and the stimulated TAO by 64 +/- 2% and 97 +/- 1%. Basal pH in controls was 2.1-4.2 and after omeprazole treatment, pH 2.8-4.1 (LD) and 2.4-6.6 (HD). After stimulation, the corresponding pH values were 2.6-3.3, 3.9-4.9 and 5.4-7.2. The biological availability of omeprazole was 70-80%. Due to the simplicity of the administration technique and the higher biological availability, intramuscular administration may offer a practical and less expensive way of treating gastric ulcers in horses.