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Many agents currently are being evaluated for preventing post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis. Data on ulinastatin have been published recently (JW Gastroenterology Jul 26 2005 Allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor that blocks generation of free radicals, also has been tested, but only at low doses (JW Gastroenterology Nov 7 2001). Now, researchers in Greece report results from a high-dose allopurinol trial.
In a prospective, double-blind trial, 243 patients received oral high-dose allopurinol (600 mg at 15 hours and at 3 hours before ERCP) or placebo. Standardized criteria were used to diagnose pancreatitis and to grade its severity. The groups had similar demographics, procedure indications, and patie…