title: Twice-daily dosing of enteric-coated aspirin in patients with rheumatic diseases.
abstract: To determine the feasibility of twice daily dosing of enteric-coated aspirin (EntrophenR), a preliminary trial on 10 patients with rheumatic diseases was conducted. Three plasma salicylate levels on 2 separate occasions, 1 day apart, were determined. In 9 of the 10 patients studied at steady-state, therapeutic levels were attained (15-30 mg/dl). There were no gastrointestinal side-effects. One case developed tinnitus which resolved with a small reduction in dosage. On the basis of this short-term study, twice-daily EC-ASA appears to be effective in maintaining adequate plasma salicylate levels, and it seems to compare favourably to ASA given in multiple daily doses. On a long-term basis, it may improve patient compliance.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated
chemical_list: D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; D001241:Aspirin