Editorial: single-tablet ibuprofen/double-dose famotidine for reduction of gastric and duodenal ulcers (REDUCE Trials): what can be reduced?

Am J Gastroenterol. 2012 Mar;107(3):387-8. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2011.439.

Abstract

Patients using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) who are at high risk of gastroduodenal ulcer complications often do not receive gastroprotective co-therapy. Fixed-dose combination tablets of an NSAID and a proton-pump inhibitor or misoprostol are intended to improve adherence. Whether the use of these combination tablets will improve adherence and clinical outcome remains largely uninvestigated. Unlike proton-pump inhibitors and misoprostol, the efficacy of histamine-2-receptor antagonists in preventing gastroduodenal ulcers associated with NSAID use is questionable. Nonetheless, a new fixed-dose combination tablet of an NSAID and famotidine will soon be available on the market. The study by Laine et al. is a pooled analysis of two large-scale, carefully designed randomized trials (REDUCE trials) of a fixed-combination tablet of ibuprofen and famotidine on the incidence of endoscopic ulcers. How the study findings may influence clinical practice deserves further consideration.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Duodenal Ulcer / drug therapy*
  • Famotidine / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ibuprofen / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Stomach Ulcer / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents
  • Famotidine
  • Ibuprofen