[Stomach tolerance of buffered and unbuffered low-dose acetylsalicylic acid: an endoscopy controlled double-blind study in volunteers].

In this randomised double-blind cross-over study the gastroduodenal tolerability of buffered acetylsalicylic acid (ASS) (Aspalox = 325 mg ASS plus 300 mg magnesium aluminium hydroxide) daily has been compared with unbuffered ASS (325 mg) daily in 12 healthy volunteers using upper Gl-endoscopy. The treatment period lasted 14 days: endoscopic controls were performed at entry and repeated at day 14. At day 0 the mean endoscopic score averaged 0.8 +/- 0.1 in both groups (MW +/- SEM). One tablet Aspalox daily induced marked gastroduodenal damage at day 14 (6.5 +/- 1.5). The median lesion score rose from 1.0 (day 0) to 7.0 at day 14. Unbuffered ASS evoked almost identical gastroduodenal injuries at day 14 (7.5 +/- 1.8). The corresponding median values were 1.0 (day 0) and 7.0 at day 14. Our data suggest, that the amount of buffering in the Aspalox preparation is not sufficient enough to protect human gastroduodenal mucosa against low dose acetylsalicylic acid.