[Does simultaneous administration of a PGE1 analog prevent indomethacin damage to human gastric mucosa? An endoscopic...

The influence on gastroduodenal mucosa of indomethacin (50 mg t.i.d.) administration for 6 days was investigated in 7 healthy volunteers in a double-blind randomized crossover study with and without concomitant administration of MDL 646, 400 micrograms q.i.d. and 800 micrograms q.i.d. Indomethacin induced a gastroduodenal lesion index of 2.4 +/- 0.1. Neither of the prostaglandin E1-analogue dosages afforded significant protection of gastric and duodenal mucosa (2.1 +/- 0.4 in the presence of 400 micrograms q.i.d. and 1.9 +/- 0.4 in the presence of 800 micrograms q.i.d.). Major side effects were not observed.