In studies lasting up to 28 days, treatment with GASTROGARD at the dose rate of 1mg omeprazole per kg bodyweight per day has been shown to help prevent the occurrence of gastric ulcers in horses exposed to ulcerogenic conditions.

Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor belonging to the substituted benzimidazole class of compounds.

It is part of the pharmacotherapeutic group of antacids, for treatment of peptic ulcers.

Omeprazole suppresses gastric acid secretion by specific inhibition of the H+/K+-ATPase enzyme system at the secretory surface of the parietal cell. The H+/K+-ATPase enzyme system is the acid (proton) pump within the gastric mucosa. Because H+/K+-ATPase is the final step involved in control of acid secretion, omeprazole blocks secretion irrespective of the stimulus. Omeprazole irreversibly binds to the gastric parietal cell H+/K+-ATPase enzyme that pumps hydrogen ions into the lumen of the stomach in exchange for potassium ions.

Stress (including high performance training and competition), feeding, management and husbandry practices may be associated with the development of gastric ulceration in horses. Individuals responsible for the well-being of horses should consider reducing the ulcerogenic challenge by modifying husbandry practices to achieve one or more of the following: reduced stress, reduced fasting, increased intake of roughage and access to grazing.

GASTROGARD™ is a registered trademark of the Astra Zeneca Group of Companies.