Sucralfate for prevention of naproxen-induced mucosal lesions in the proximal and distal gastrointestinal tract.

To study the protective effect of Sucralfate on Naproxen-induced mucosal lesions, 16 healthy, male volunteers were given Naproxen 500 mg b.i.d. together with Sucralfate 2 g b.i.d. or placebo in a double-blind, crossover study. Drug periods were 1 week, with a 3-week wash out in between. Mucosal lesions in stomach and duodenum were assessed by upper endoscopy before and after each drug period, using a visual analogue with separate scoring of mid- and distal duodenal lesions. 51Cr-EDTA absorption tests were performed to demonstrate possible changes in distal gut permeability. In addition, subjective symptoms were registered. Both drug periods induced significant lesions in the stomach and duodenum. Statistically speaking, fewer changes were found in the stomach and duodenal bulb after Sucralfate co-administration, whereas no significant reduction of lesions was seen in the distal duodenum. The 51Cr-EDTA absorption was increased in both periods, indicating deleterious effects to distal parts of the gut, but our results did not demonstrate Sucralfate-mediated protection from these changes. Symptoms were modest, and equal in the two periods. We conclude that Sucralfate may offer protection in the gastric and proximal duodenal mucosa, but no such protective effect was seen distally to the duodenal bulb.