Colorectal Cancer Coalition

Pepcid Protects Against Upper GI Damage from Aspirin

While  aspirin reduces risk for cardiovascular problems, it can harm the stomach and upper GI tract.  However, in a randomized study, Pepcid® (famotidine) reduced stomach and duodenal ulcers and damage to the esophagus for people taking low-dose aspirin for protection against heart attacks and strokes.

Researchers in the United Kingdom used an endoscope to examine the throats and stomachs of patients being treated with low-dose aspirin (85 to 325 mg a day).  They randomly assigned 400 patients without signs of existing GI damage to 20 milligrams of famotidine twice a day or a placebo.  Neither patients or doctors knew who was getting the drug or who was received a placebo.

Twelve weeks later, they looked again for ulcers and esophageal erosion.  

During that exam, doctors found:

• 7 gastric ulcers (3.4 percent) in the famotidine group compared to 30 (15 percent) among those who got placebos.
• 1 duodenal culcer (0.5 percent) for famotidine compared to 17 (8.5 percent) for placebo.
• 9 cases of erosive esophagitis in treated patients compared to 38 (19 percent) for placebo.

There were fewer serious side effects in the famotidine group — 9 versus 15.  Four patients taking aspirin with the placebo went to the hospital because of gastric bleeding.  Two famotidine and four placebo patients had chest pain (angina).

Writing The Lancet Ali S. Taba, M.D. and the FAMOUS clinical trial team said,

Famotidine is effective in the prevention of gastric and duodenal ulcers, and erosive oesophagitis in patients taking low-dose aspirin. These findings widen the therapeutic options for the prevention of gastrointestinal damage in patients needing vascular protection.

The trial was funded by Merck Laboratories, who manufacture Pepcid®, and Astellas Pharma, who distribute famotidine as Gaster®.

SOURCE: Taba et al., The Lancet, Volume 374, Number 9684, July 11, 2009.

This news article was originally posted on July 11th, 2009 and was accurate at the time of publication. Since then, information may have changed or links may now be outdated. Please call our Answer Line 1-877-427-2111 for the latest information, or talk to your doctor before making any medical decisions.

Posted by Kate Murphy on July 11th, 2009
Tags: esophagitis, famotidine, gastric ulcer

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