[First clinical experiences with cholestyramine for the prophylaxis of stress ulcer (author's transl)]

In a general and accident surgical intensive care ward, the possibility of prophylaxis with the exchange resin cholestyramine (which combines with bile acids) was investigated in 68 patients threatened by stress ulcers. Whereas two patients in the control group treated with an antacid (N = 24) developed deep stress ulcers, only one patient among those treated with cholestyramine alone (N=8) developed superficial erosions; no bleeding occurred at all when it was combined with an antacid (N=36). Entefal tolerance of cholestyramine was good during parenteral feeding. No side-effects were observed. The elimination of the ulcerogenic function of duodenogastric reflux in stress ulcer is discussed as a mode of action.