title: Randomized controlled trial of Syn-Ergel and an active placebo in the treatment of heartburn of pregnancy.
abstract: A randomized controlled trial was performed to study the efficacy of Syn-Ergel with an active placebo in the treatment of heartburn of pregnancy in ninety-two patients completing 7 days of therapy. Syn-Ergel was significantly better (p less than 0.001) in all groups of pre-treatment pain severity in relieving the symptoms, and had a longer duration of action, than the active placebo. Complete relief of pain was achieved in 79.5% of Syn-Ergel treatments with a further 10% of treatments resulting in marked easing of discomfort at 1 hour following administration. The corresponding figures for the 'active placebo' were 56% and 20%. The combination of an antacid and a protective mucosal coating agent would appear to be a useful approach in the treatment of heartburn of pregnacy.
mesh_terms: D000362:Agar / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000535:Aluminum / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000863:Antacids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006356:Heartburn / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D010368:Pectins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third
chemical_list: D000863:Antacids; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010919:Placebos; C016769:Syn-ergel; D010368:Pectins; D000362:Agar; D000535:Aluminum