Rioprostil: a clinical experience in gastric ulcer treatment

The efficacy and tolerability of the prostaglandin E1 derivative rioprostil (Bay o 6893) was studied in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 40 patients affected by acute gastric ulcer. At the end of the eight weeks period ulcer healing was achieved in 85% of the rioprostil-treated patients and in 60% of the placebo-treated ones (p less than 0.05). Rioprostil produced a significant reduction of pain and also improved the clinical status. This positive outcome was noted both in smokers and in non-smoking patients, while only this last group improved during the placebo treatment.