[NSAID-induced gastroduodenal damage: strategies for prevention]

The improved knowledge of the mechanism by which NSAIDs work and damage the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosal suggested a series of measures for the prevention of NSAIDs-induced GI lesions, apart from the use of those proved to be less toxic. PPI have now been definitively shown to be more effective in the relief of symptoms and in the healing and prevention of ulcers/erosions than H2-antagonists and also better tolerated than misoprostol. Other more innovative approaches include selective and highly selective COX-2 inhibitors, NSAIDs containing NO or stimulating the gastric endogenous biosynthesis of NO, and chiral NSAIDs. Clinical usefulness of other compounds, including NSAIDs associated with zwitterionic phospholipids or fibroblast growth factor, is still under investigation.