Effect of cimetidine on gastrointestinal symptoms in patients taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. A large double-blind placebo controlled study.
The effect of cimetidine on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in patients taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was studied in a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled 4 week trial. Five hundred and seventy osteoarthritis patients received cimetidine 400 mg bid or placebo. Seventy-nine % in the cimetidine group had no GI symptoms at week 4 compared to 72% in the placebo group (p = 0.07). Only 5.6% in the cimetidine group reported heartburn compared to 19.2% in the placebo group. Diarrhoea was more pronounced in cimetidine treated patients; 18.5% compared to 2.7%. In a subgroup of patients with previous GI discomfort on NSAID therapy (N = 123), 63% reported disappearance of symptoms in the cimetidine group compared to 45% in the placebo group (p = 0.05). In patients with GI symptoms starting NSAID therapy and in patients on NSAID with a heartburn problem, cimetidine seems to be of value.
Rugstad
H E
HE
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
Giercksky
K E
KE
Husby
G
G
Holme
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002927:Cimetidine