Gastric retention of enteric-coated sulfasalazine tablets. A complication of gastroduodenal Crohn's disease.
A case is described in which a patient with known gastroduodenal Crohn's disease developed a picture of gastric outlet obstruction accompanied by gastric retention of many enteric-coated sulfasalazine tablets. The tablets were removed by gastric lavage with a sodium bicarbonate solution. Following this observation, an in vitro study was done in which the rate of disintegration of enteric-coated sulfasalazine tablets was found to be directly related to pH. The case report reveals a potential hazard in using enteric-coated tablets in patients with impaired gastric emptying. Intragastric sodium bicarbonate may be a useful element in the management of this complication.
D000328:Adult; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004378:Duodenal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013607:Tablets
D013607:Tablets; D012460:Sulfasalazine