Protection of gastric mucosa by sucralfate from aspirin-induced erosions.

The protective effect of sucralfate against aspirin caused damage to the gastric mucosa was studied in healthy male volunteers (age range 18 to 44 years) with no history of gastrointestinal disease. Each was randomly assigned to placebo or sucralfate. As determined by endoscopic studies, 8 of 12 subjects on sucralfate experienced complete protection; 3 were partially protected. The question was raised whether sucralfate might have inhibited the absorption of aspirin from the gastrointestinal tract, but measurement of salicylate levels showed no statistically significant difference between salicylate levels achieved after sucralfate and after placebo.