NEXIUM (Esomeprazole) Medication Lessens Gastric Ulcers In Case Of Taking Long-Term NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are considered to be a group of pain relief medications involving traditional, non-selective drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, and newer COX-2- selective agents. Actually non-selective NSAIDs enlarge the risk of gastric ulcers, especially in older patients who have a history of gastric ulcers or who take them regularly.
According to James M. Scheiman, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, NSAID is commonly used among patients at high risk for gastric ulcers. And COX-2-selective drugs are more effective than non- selective NSAIDs. But in his opinion, this kind of medication may have high residual side-effect rate.
In fact, chronic NSAID use is a common cause of gastric ulcers and has been associated with side effects ranging from indigestion to potentially life- threatening stomach bleeding. Of the more than 14 million Americans who use NSAIDs regularly to treat chronic pain, up to 25% may be affected by NSAID-related ulcers. It is known that in the United States NSAID use accounts for nearly one third of gastric-ulcer-related hospitalizations, with an associated four-fold increased risk of death.
The two trials realized in double-blind, randomized groups during the period of six months indicated that NEXIUM medication can reduce the incidence of gastric (stomach) ulcers in patients at risk of developing gastric ulcers and who regularly take either non-selective (NSAIDs) or COX-2-selective NSAIDs.
The two studies were similar and involved a total of 844 (U.S.) and 585 (multinational) patients.
The results indicated that significantly fewer patients taking Esomeprazole 40 mg or Esomeprazole 20 mg, in addition to their regular non-selective NSAID/COX-2-selective therapy, developed an ulcer at six months, compared to those taking a placebo. These differences were evident at the first month of treatment and maintained throughout the all period of study. At the time of the study, patients were free of ulcers and Helicobacter pylori infection and showed no evidence of GI bleeding or perforation within the prior six months.
The data of these two clinical trials were published in the April 2006 edition of the American Journal of Gastroenterology.
So, as Mr. Scheiman said, the finding from the two trials showed that generic Nexium was effective in reducing stomach ulcers in at-risk patients who require chronic NSAID treatment.
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