Double-blind study of carbenoxolone in gastric ulcer and erosions

The effect of carbenoxolone on the healing of gastric ulcer and erosions was compared with that of placebo. The series consisted of 20 patients with chronic gastric ulcers and 20 patients with superficial erosions of the stomach. The diagnosis as well as the follow-up of the lesions were based on gastroscopic examinations. The ulcers were measured gastroscopically. A double-blind method was used. Besides carbenoxolone 50 mg or placebo three times daily, all the patients received antacids in fixed dosage for six weeks. Subjective symptoms and cardiovascular side-effects were recorded. Maximal acid output and serum gastrin levels were measured before and after the treatment. No difference was seen between carbenoxolone and placebo groups with regard to the healing rate of the ulcers of disappearance of the erosions. The subjective symptoms subsided significantly faster in the treatment groups than in the control groups. No cardiovascular side-effects were evident during the treatment with carbenoxolone. One patient needed potassium supplements. Carbenoxolone had no effect on the pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion nor on the serum gastrin values.