[Therapy and prevention of peptic lesions by prostaglandins]

Prostaglandin-E-analogues inhibit gastric acid secretion after oral administration. Therefore, these drugs are tested in clinical trials and two of them- misoprostol and rosaprostol-has recently been registered. With regard to healing rate of peptic ulcer and improvement of clinical signs and symptoms the prostaglandin analogues are superior to placebo but only equally effective or even slightly inferior to H2-receptor blockers. The relapse rates following successful therapy with prostaglandin analogues are similar to that with H2-blockers. Side effects such as diarrhea or uterotropic actions will probably limit their broad application. The exact therapeutic effectiveness of prostaglandin analogues in treatment of peptic ulcer remains to be evaluated in greater detail. As in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease prostaglandin-analogues are only effective in preventing NOSAC-induced peptic lesions when given in antisecretory doses.