The effect of 15(R)-15-methyl prostaglandin E2 (Arbacet) on the healing of aspirin or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-induced gastric mucosal lesions: an endoscopic study.

Twenty-nine outpatients chronically ingesting daily aspirin or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs for rheumatological disease, who had endoscopically proven gastric mucosal lesions worse than erythema, were evaluated for 4 wk in a randomized, double-blind trial comparing 15(R)-15-methyl prostaglandin E2 (Arbacet) (10 micrograms, 0.5 h before each meal and at bedtime) with placebo. Patients continued their usual daily dose of antiarthritic medication throughout the study period, and an endoscopy was performed on the final day to assess healing. Five of 14 patients (36%) taking Arbacet and two of 15 patients (13%) in the placebo group had complete healing of their gastric lesions after 4 wk. Arbacet at a daily dose of 40 micrograms is not significantly better than placebo in healing gastric lesions caused by aspirin or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, if antiinflammatory therapy is continued.