Comparison of a dimethicone/antacid (Asilone gel) with an alginate/antacid (Gaviscon liquid) in the management of reflux oesophagitis.
Fifty-three patients with symptomatic reflux oesophagitis were entered into a single centre randomized study comparing the effects of a dimethicone/antacid (Asilone Gel) and an alginate/antacid (Gaviscon liquid) on symptoms and endoscopic changes over an 8-week period. Both treatments significantly improved heartburn, acid regurgitation and flatulence. Dimethicone/antacid but not alginate/antacid, produced a significant improvement in oesophagitis, oesophageal ulceration and histological grade of inflammation over the 8-week treatment period so that 14 patients treated with dimethicone/antacid and 10 with alginate/antacid had normal endoscopic oesophageal appearances at the end of the study. The difference in improvement between the two patient groups did not reach significance however, except for dimethicone/antacid improving histological changes (P less than 0.05). These findings suggest that dimethicone/antacid and alginate/antacid are equally effective in treating symptomatic reflux oesophagitis although dimethicone/antacid may have an advantage in improving oesophageal histological appearances.
Department of Medicine, University of Sheffield, Royal Hallamshire Hospital.
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Smart
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Atkinson
D000328:Adult; D000464:Alginates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000863:Antacids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008277:Magnesium Oxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012824:Silicic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012841:Simethicone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate
D000464:Alginates; D000863:Antacids; D001639:Bicarbonates; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D004338:Drug Combinations; C023473:aluminium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, simeticone drug combination; D012824:Silicic Acid; D008277:Magnesium Oxide; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide; C007829:alginate, aluminium hydroxide, magnesium trisilicate, sodium bicarbonate drug combination; D012841:Simethicone; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate