To Avoid Stomach Upset In Arthritis Patients, Drug Combination More Effective

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To Avoid Stomach Upset In Arthritis Patients, Drug Combination More

Effective

Main Category: GastroIntestinal News

Article Date: 04 May 2006 - 6:00am (PDT)



UCLA/VA researchers found that for arthritis patients, taking a

combination of two drugs may be most effective in protecting against

stomach upset called dyspepsia, which is a side effect of common pain

medications.

Published this week in The American Journal of Medicine, the study

showed that for arthritis patients, taking an anti-inflammatory drug

like Naproxen with an acid-reducing drug like Prevacid may prove more

effective than taking a -2 inhibitor like Celecoxib alone for

protecting against stomach upset.

More than 15 million Americans suffer from chronic arthritis,

including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. According to

researchers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are the

most commonly used medications for these conditions, but often cause

gastrointestinal discomfort known as dyspepsia.

" Dyspepsia can be a major problem for patients, causing stomach upset

symptoms such as nausea, bloating, gas and belching, " said Dr.

Brennan M.R. Spiegel, study author and director, UCLA/VA Center for

Outcomes Research and Education (CORE). " These symptoms are far more

common than more serious side effects like ulcers or bleeding. "

Researchers found that compared to taking an over-the-counter anti-

inflammatory by itself, a -2 inhibitor taken alone reduced

dyspepsia occurrence by 12 percent. An anti-inflammatory taken with

an acid-reducing drug together, however, lowered incidence of

dyspepsia by 66 percent.

" The drug combination was significantly more effective in reducing

dyspepsia and may prove to be the preferred treatment for arthritis

patients at high risk for stomach problems, " said Spiegel, assistant

professor of medicine, Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and

Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

The study involved a systematic review of clinical trial findings in

medical literature and then researchers conducted a more sensitive

meta-analysis of the results.

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The study is funded by TAP Pharmaceuticals Products, Inc.,

manufacturer of lansoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, which is

marketed under the brand name Prevacid. Spiegel is also a consultant

for TAP.

In addition to Spiegel, other researchers include Farid, DO; Dr.

Gareth S. Dulai; Dr. Ian M. Gralnek and Dr. Fasiha Kanwal.