Gaviscon and Carobel compared with cisapride in gastro-oesophageal reflux.
We compared the efficacy of the prokinetic agent cisapride with that of Gaviscon (an alginate/alkaline compound) plus Carobel (carob seed flour) in the treatment of gastrooesophageal reflux (GOR). Fifty infants with confirmed GOR received either oral cisapride (0.8 mg/kg/day) or Gaviscon plus Carobel for one month in a randomised, parallel group study. Parental evaluations, diary scores, and 24 hour lower oesophageal pH recordings before and at the end of each treatment were compared. In the cisapride group 14/26 (53%) were considered better by their parents compared with 19/24 (79%) of those who received Gaviscon plus Carobel. Diary scores, range (0.00-1.00), improved in both groups with the median change being greater in the Gaviscon plus Carobel group (-0.21) than the cisapride group (-0.15). Five of 17 pH variables had significantly improved from baseline in infants who had received cisapride compared with 11/17 in those receiving Gaviscon plus Carobel. However, unpaired analysis of diary and pH data showed no significant differences between the two groups. We conclude that first line treatment of GOR with cisapride is no more effective than conventional treatment with Gaviscon plus Carobel.
Greally
P
P
Department of Child Health, Leicester Royal Infirmary.
Hampton
F J
FJ
MacFadyen
U M
UM
Simpson
H
H
D000464:Alginates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000863:Antacids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020117:Cisapride; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005685:Galactans; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007223:Infant; D008351:Mannans; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053149:Plant Gums; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012824:Silicic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate
D000464:Alginates; D000863:Antacids; D001639:Bicarbonates; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005685:Galactans; D008351:Mannans; D010880:Piperidines; D053149:Plant Gums; D011134:Polysaccharides; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D012824:Silicic Acid; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide; C007829:alginate, aluminium hydroxide, magnesium trisilicate, sodium bicarbonate drug combination; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D020117:Cisapride; C017471:locust bean gum