Effectiveness of antacids in reducing digestive disturbances in patients treated with prednisone and prednisolone

To appraise the efficiency of complemental antacid administration in preventing and reducing digestive disturbances during prolonged treatment with prednisone and prednisolone, 100 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis who were maintained on combined antacid and prednisone or prednisolone therapy for periods of one year or longer, were studied clinically and roentgenographically. Antacid therapy consisted of 300 mg. of dried aluminum hydroxide gel and 50 mg. of magnesium trisilicate taken with each 2.5 mg. dose of the steroids. Digestive symptoms, such as indigestion, heartburn, sour eructations, gnawing epigastric distress and the like, were experienced by 18 per cent of patients during treatment with prednisone or prednisolone combined with antacids. Among patients who had been maintained on the steroids without antacids beforehand, the incidence of digestive complaints was reduced from 38 per cent to 17 per cent by the addition of alkali therapy, and the severity of the distress decreased in others. Active peptic ulcers were detected roentgenographically in three of the 100 patients. In two instances the ulcers were asymptomatic and in two instances they were considered as reactivations of previously healed lesions. The incidence of active ulcers in this series was substantially lower than that reported by several investigators among patients treated with prednisone and prednisolone without the concomitant administration of alkalis. The size of dosage and individual susceptibility appeared to be important factors in the development of digestive disturbances from steroids. Results of the study indicated that the complemental use of antacids with each divided dose of steroid is highly effective in reducing the frequency and severity of digestive symptoms during prednisone and prednisolone administration. The low incidence (3 per cent) for roentgenographically demonstrable active lesions in the series suggests that the addition of acid-neutralizing agents during prolonged treatment with these steroids may afford at least partial protection against the development and reactivation of peptic ulcers.