The use of carprofen, a non-steroidal antiinflammatory agent, in peptic ulcer diseases

The effects of carprofen (Roche), a nonsteroid antiinflammatory agent, on gastric secretion, serum gastrin level, electropotential difference (PD), gastric microbleeding, DNA loss, and the generation of mucosal prostaglandins (PGs) were examined in 20 duodenal ulcer patients with active ulcer (15 patients) or in remission (5 patients). Carprofen administered for one-week period at a therapeutic dose (300 mg/day) was well tolerated by all ulcer patients and no adverse effects were observed during or after treatment. Endoscopy performed after carprofen treatment showed complete ulcer healing in 9 out of 15 patients and no exacerbations were observed in the rest of patients. No significant changes were observed in basal or pentagastrin-induced secretion, PD, gastric microbleeding and DNA loss. The generation of PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and thromboxane B2 was not affected by the treatment with carprofen. This study indicates that carprofen shows excellent gastrointestinal tolerance in ulcer patients, and it might be useful in the treatment of arthritic patients with peptic ulcer disease.