| [ Summary ] |
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, are the major cause of gastric and duodenal ulcers. Switching to COX-2 selective inhibitors reduces the incidence of ulcer formation and complications such as bleeding and perforation. Prevention and treatment should be done with proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) or prostaglandin (PG) derivatives. Double-doses of H2-blockers and mucoprotective drugs are also protective. H2-blockers and PPIs are effective for prevention of mucosal damage caused by low-dose aspirin. Since NSAIDs, including aspirin, can cause small bowel injury, protection of the whole gastrointestinal tract should be taken into account. |