Combined Ibuprofen/Famotidine Tablet Might Reduce Ulcers

Patients receiving the combination tablet developed fewer upper gastrointestinal ulcers than those receiving ibuprofen alone.

Patients taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have an increased risk for upper gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers (gastric and duodenal ulcers). Acid reduction with a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) has been shown to decrease this risk. However, many patients taking NSAIDs either do not receive a prescription for PPIs or do not take them.

To investigate the efficacy of a combination tablet of 800 mg ibuprofen and 26.6 mg famotidine to reduce development of upper GI ulcers in patients requiring NSAID therapy, researchers conducted two industry-sponsored, randomized, double-blinded trials (REDUCE-1 and REDUCE-2) in which patients received the combination tablet or an 800-mg ibuprofen tablet three times daily for 24 weeks. The endpoint fo…

Reviewing Author

David J. Bjorkman, MD, MSPH (HSA), SM (Epid.)

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

David J. Bjorkman, MD, MSPH (HSA), SM (Epid.)

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose