This observational study aims to explore the effectiveness of hydrotalcite, marketed as Talcid, in alleviating acid-related symptoms that occur due to an acid rebound after discontinuing a non-/no-longer-indicated long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. PPIs are commonly prescribed to reduce stomach acid to alleviate symptoms such as heartburn and for the treatment of, for example, duodenal and stomach ulcers. Discontinuation after prolonged use can lead to a rebound effect where dyspeptic complaints such as heartburn occur once the medication is stopped. This study is conducted in Germany and involves adult participants who have stopped using non-/no-longer-indicated PPIs and are experiencing these rebound symptoms. Hydrotalcite is recommended by physicians as an on-demand treatment for managing acid-related symptoms. The study seeks to gather real-world evidence on its effectiveness, consumer experience, and acceptance to support claims about its use to relieve acid related symptoms due to an acid rebound. Participants will use hydrotalcite as needed (on demand when symptoms occur) over a four-week period, and will record information about symptom relief, the time it takes for relief to occur, and overall satisfaction with the treatment. Additionally, their doctors rate the suitability, tolerability, and effectiveness of the treatment. The primary objective of the study is to assess the effectiveness of hydrotalcite by the number and percentage of patients not having used PPIs during the study period. Secondary objectives include evaluating relief from specific symptoms (heartburn, reflux, epigastric pain, feeling of fullness, and nausea, as well as improvements in quality of life due to hydrotalcite treatment. The study will also assess participants' satisfaction with hydrotalcite as an on-demand treatment and its suitability for managing these symptoms. Participants will be adults aged 18 and older who have discontinued a long-term PPI therapy (≥8 weeks) for which there is no current indication according to indication and guidelines and who are experiencing acid rebound symptoms after stopping the PPI therapy. The study will exclude individuals with endoscopically diagnosed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (LA grade C/ D esophagitis) or those with hydrotalcite contraindications or warnings, such as pregnancy, severe renal impairment, or allergies to its ingredients. Data will be collected through standardized questionnaires completed by participants after they consent to join the study. The study aims to enroll approximately 167 participants, anticipating a 40% drop-out rate, to ensure around 100 completed questionnaires. Statistical analyses will be exploratory and descriptive, focusing on categorical and continuous variables. The study is designed to be observational, meaning there will be no direct intervention or randomization of participants. Instead, it will collect primary data directly from participants and investigators across approximately twenty sites in Germany. The results will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of hydrotalcite in managing acid rebound symptoms and may inform future treatment recommendations for participants discontinuing long-term PPI therapy.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
167
Talcid Chewable Tablet (500 mg hydrotalcite) taken on-demand for acid-related symptoms.
Bayer Vital GmbH
Leverkusen, Germany
RECRUITINGBayer Germany
Wuppertal, Germany
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGNumber and percentage of subjects successfully discontinued proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy defined as no intake of PPI within a period of 4 weeks after start of treatment
Number and percentage of subjects successfully discontinued PPI therapy defined as no intake of PPI within a period of 4 weeks after start of hydrotalcite (500 mg Talcid chewable tablets) as on-demand treatment to treat symptoms due to acid-rebound.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Score (5-point rating scale) of overall relief from acid-related symptoms due to an acid rebound when used as an on-demand treatment
Overall relief from acid-related symptoms (by subject): Assessed using a 5-point rating scale (1 = Very Poor, 2 = Poor, 3 = Moderate, 4 = Good, 5 = Very Good) in the evening after Talcid® Chewable tablet intake.
Time frame: Daily during 4-week treatment period
Number and percentage of subjects satisfied with hydrotalcite (Talcid® Chewable Tablets) as an on-demand treatment for treating their acid-related symptoms due to an acid-rebound
Overall satisfaction assessment (by subject): Assessed at the end of the 4-week on-demand Talcid® Chewable Tablets treatment period using a 7-point rating scale (1 = Strongly Dissatisfied, 2 = Dissatisfied, 3 = Slightly Dissatisfied; 4 = Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied, 5 = Slightly Satisfied, 6 = Satisfied, 7= Strongly Satisfied).
Time frame: once at the end of the 4-week treatment period
Number and percentage of investigators considering hydrotalcite (Talcid® Chewable tablets) being suitable as an on-demand treatment for treating acid-related symptoms due to an acid-rebound
Suitability assessment (by Investigator): Assessed at the final data collection timepoint using a 5-point rating scale (1 = Not Suitable, 2 = Not Very Suitable, 3 = Neutral, 4 = Suitable, 5 = Very Suitable).
Time frame: once at final data collection timepoint at the end of the 4-week treatment period
Number and percentage of investigators considering hydrotalcite (Talcid® Chewable tablets) being well tolerated as an on-demand treatment for treating acid-related symptoms due to an acid-rebound
Tolerability assessment (by Investigator): Assessed at final data collection timepoint using a 5-point rating scale (1 = Very Poor Tolerability, 2 = Poor Tolerability, 3 = Neutral, 4 = Well Tolerated, 5 = Very Well Tolerated).
Time frame: once at final data collection timepoint at the end of the 4-week treatment period
Number and percentage of investigators considering hydrotalcite (Talcid® Chewable tablets) being effective as an on-demand treatment for treating acid-related symptoms due to an acid-rebound
Effectiveness assessment (by Investigator): Assessed at the final data collection timepoint using a 5-point rating scale (1 = Not Effective at All, 2 = Not Very Effective, 3 = Neutral, 4 = Effective, 5 = Very Effective).
Time frame: once at final data collection timepoint at the end of the 4-week treatment period
Scores (5-point rating scale) of relief from heartburn, reflux, epigastric pain, feeling of fullness, and nausea due to an acid-rebound when used as an on-demand treatment (Talcid® Chewable tablets)
Specific symptom relief assessments (by subject): Assessment of relief of heartburn, reflux, epigastric pain, feeling of fullness, nausea in the evening after Talcid® Chewable Tablets intake using a 5-point rating scale (1 = Very Poor, 2 = Poor, 3 = Moderate, 4 = Good, 5 = Very Good).
Time frame: Daily during 4-week treatment period
Time to relief of heartburn, reflux, epigastric pain, feeling of fullness, and nausea following intake of hydrotalcite (Talcid® Chewable tablets) when used on-demand
Time to relief assessments (by subject): Assessment of time to relief from each of the following symptoms heartburn, reflux, epigastric pain, feeling of fullness, nausea in the evening after Talcid® Chewable Tablets intake using pre-specified time frames (\<5, 5- 10, 10-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90 and \>90 minutes).
Time frame: Daily during 4-week treatment period
Change in scores (5-point rating scale) of quality of life due to hydrotalcite (Talcid® Chewable tablets) on-demand treatment towards baseline
Quality of Life Assessment (by subject): Assessed at baseline and at the end of the 4-week ondemand Talcid® Chewable Tablets treatment period using a 5-point category scale (1 = Very Poor, 2 = Poor, 3 = Moderate, 4 =Good , 5 = Very Good )
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 4-week treatment
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.