Risk of gastric injury with enteric- versus nonenteric-coated aspirin.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate through clinical trials the risk of various aspirin preparations on the gastric mucosa.


METHODS
Articles reporting clinical research were accessed through MEDLINE (1980-November 1998). Key search terms included enteric-coated aspirin, buffered aspirin, and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.


RESULTS
Aspirin products are known to cause GI bleeding. Enteric-coated aspirin may provide an additional protective effect on gastric mucosa compared with buffered aspirin. An evaluation of studies comparing various aspirin preparations and the risk of gastric mucosal injury was conducted.


CONCLUSIONS
For long-term use, enteric-coated aspirin may provide a safer alternative than buffered aspirin; however, further studies are necessary.
Banoob
Dalia W
DW
Pharmacy Department, Saint Joseph's Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA. Dalia.Banoob@medmanagement.com
McCloskey
William W
WW
Webster
William
W
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; D001241:Aspirin