[Protective effect of ranitidine in the stomach and duodenum against piroxicam. An endoscopy controlled double-blind study].

Protective Effects of Ranitidine in Stomach and Duodenum against Piroxicam / An endoscopically controlled double-blind study In a randomized parallel double-blind study the gastroduodenal effects of 20 mg piroxicam (CAS 36322-90-4) daily in the presence and absence of 300 mg ranitidine nocte was evaluated in 28 healthy volunteers undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Drugs were taken over a period of 14 days. Endoscopic controls were performed at entry, and repeated after 7 and 14 days of treatment. A damaging score according to Lanza et al. was used. At entry, both groups displayed comparable mucosal damages in the stomach (0.9 +/- 0.1) and in the duodenum (0.4 +/- 0.2). After 14 days the mean lesion score increased in the piroxicam/placebo group to 6.3 +/- 1.6 in the stomach and to 4.0 +/- 1.4 in the duodenum. The corresponding values in the piroxicam/ranitidine group were 3.4 +/- 1.0 (stomach) and 0.4 +/- 0.2 (duodenum). This protection afforded by ranitidine was significant when compared with placebo (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that 300 mg ranitidine at night markedly protect the stomach and the duodenum against piroxicam.