Treatment of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-associated gastric and duodenal damage. Efficacy of antisecretory drugs and mucosal protective compounds.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the mainstay of treatment for rheumatic diseases. However, a significant number of patients receiving these drugs experience upper gastrointestinal side effects, including physical injury to the gastroduodenal mucosa. This may range from clinically insignificant bleeding and minor erosive changes to deeper ulceration, with attendant risk of haemorrhage or perforation. The majority of the published literature concerning healing of NSAID-associated peptic ulcer with antisecretory drugs involves studies of the use of the H2-receptor antagonists, ranitidine and cimetidine. Peptic ulcers associated with NSAID use can be healed with these H2-receptor antagonists using the same doses as those used for healing of idiopathic gastric or duodenal ulceration. Most ulcers heal within 4-8 weeks in those patients who are able to discontinue their anti-inflammatory therapy. If the NSAID is continued, healing may be slightly delayed. At present, limited data only are available with respect to the use of the proton pump inhibitor, omeprazole, and no firm conclusions can be drawn regarding the use of the prostaglandin analogue, misoprostol, for the healing of NSAID-associated peptic ulceration.