Effect of cimetidine on gastrointestinal symptoms in patients taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. A large double-blind placebo controlled study.

Abstract

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.

• Authors: H E Rugstad, K E Giercksky, G Husby, I Holme
• Journal: Scandinavian journal of rheumatology (Scand J Rheumatol) Vol. 23 Issue 4 Pg. 177-82 ( 1994) ISSN: 0300-9742 [Print] England
• PMID: 8091142 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Cimetidine

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (adverse effects)
• Cimetidine (therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Gastrointestinal Diseases (chemically induced, prevention & control)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Osteoarthritis (drug therapy)
• Time Factors