Controlled trial of a new dosage form of carbenoxolone (Pyrogastrone) in the treatment of reflux esophagitis.

A new preparation combining carbenoxolone sodium with alginate antacid (Pyrogastrone), taken for 8 weeks, was compared with alginate antacid alone (Gaviscon-like) in a controlled double-blind study in 37 patients with endoscopically proved reflux esophagitis. Complete remission or persistence of only minimal symptoms was obtained in 89%, and esophageal ulcer healing was achieved in 100% of subjects taking Pyrogastrone, compared with only 50% (P less than 0.025) and 33% (P equal 0.02), respectively, on control treatment. Complete endoscopic healing or persistence of only minimal inflammation was seen in 95% on Pyrogastrone and 67% of controls (P less than 0.05). Mild biochemical and clinical changes were noted in 9 of 19 patients on Pyrogastrone and 6 of 18 on the control drug, but none required treatment or alteration in regime. Thus Pyrogastrone is more effective in the treatment of reflux esophagitis than the most efficacious compound in current use.