title: Long-term therapy with carbenoxolone in the prevention of recurrence of gastric ulcer. Natural history and evolution of important side-effects and measures to avoid them.
abstract: Between 1970 and 1979, 140 patients aged between 19 and 84 years with endoscopically confirmed gastric ulcer (GU), were treated with Biogastrone in reducing doses for 6 months. They received a daily dose of 300 mg for one week, 150 mg for 5 weeks, 100 mg for 6 weeks and 50 mg for the remainder of the 6 months. All the patients were reviewed at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 32, and 38 weeks and thereafter every 3 months or earlier in the event of significant dyspepsia. The anticipated recurrence rate of GU of approximately 42% at 2 years (3) was nearly halved to 26.7% over a median follow-up of 36 months in 140 cases completing the full six months course of treatment. The incidence of side effects was as follows: (i) A weight gain of 3.5 kg or more was seen in 23% of the patients at 2 weeks; this effect was maintained through the 6 month period. (ii) Oedema was noted in 14% of the patients at 2 weeks but declined to a 2% incidence by the end of the study. (iii) Elevated diastolic blood pressure in 14--18% of patients below 60 years and 20--27% patients above 60 years of age was noted throughout the study period. A high proportion of patients (38%) receiving other therapy had hypertension prior to the trial period; Carbenoxolone treatment had little further effect on blood pressure in these patients. (iv) Hypokalaemia was noted in the early stages of treatment especially in those over 60 years (43%). The incidence declined with the reduction in dosage through the 6 month treatment period. All side effects were successfully treated by diuretics and potassium supplements.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002229:Carbenoxolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006034:Glycyrrhetinic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D002229:Carbenoxolone; D006034:Glycyrrhetinic Acid