Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and the stomach

We review papers on nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) and the stomach published in the 12 months ending April 2002. During this period, some further developments occurred in the ongoing search for safer antiinflammatory drugs. The highly selective COX-2 inhibitors (COX-2i) have again exhibited some toxicity in animal models of repair, but continue to seem a safer alternative than nonselective inhibitors from the standpoint of the production of human ulcers. Some data on the gastrointestinal safety of valdecoxib and parecoxib are available, while co-therapies with acid suppressants to reduce the risk of conventional NSAID also remain an option (a study comparing lansoprazole with misoprostol is now published). Whether co-prescribing a proton pump inhibitor with a COX-2i in patients at higher risk is effective or justified awaits the results of yet to be completed studies. The nitric oxide (NO)-donating NSAID and NO-donating aspirin show some distinct promise in animal studies and early-phase clinical trials.