Acetylsalicylic acid tablets with glycine improve long-term tolerability in antiplatelet drug therapy: results of a noninterventional trial.

To determine the tolerability of a glycine (Gly)-containing acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) preparation (Gly-ASA), investigators selected 1135 patients already receiving longterm antiplatelet therapy for a noninterventional trial of Gly-ASA 50 to 300 mg daily. After an average treatment period of 42.6 days, tolerability rating scores and the frequency of 5 gastrointestinal (GI) complaints were compared with those reported for any previous treatment, including plain ASA. After treatment with Gly-ASA, the mean percentage of patients without GI complaints increased more than 2-fold, from 28.2% to 60.6%. Furthermore, the mean percentage of patients reporting any GI symptoms as "always" present decreased from 8.5% to 0.5%. Gly-ASA tolerability was rated "excellent" or "good" by 98% of the patients. In 10 patients (0.9%), Gly-ASA treatment was terminated prematurely due to GI intolerance (n=4) and nonmedication-related causes (n=6). With respect to long-term treatment compliance, the improved tolerability profile observed with this Gly-ASA preparation indicates an important advantage over nonglycine-containing ASA alternatives.