Maintenance treatment with esomeprazole following initial relief of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-associated upper gastrointestinal symptoms: the NASA2 and SPACE2 studies

2007

Esomeprazole for Long-Term Relief of GI Symptoms from NSAIDs

Sample size: 610 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Hawkey Christopher J, Talley Nicholas J, Scheiman James M, Jones Roger H, Långström Göran, Næsdal Jorgen, Yeomans Neville D

Hypothesis

Esomeprazole can maintain long-term relief of upper gastrointestinal symptoms associated with NSAID use.

Conclusion

Esomeprazole is effective in maintaining relief of NSAID-associated upper gastrointestinal symptoms over a 6-month period.

Supporting Evidence

Esomeprazole was significantly more effective than placebo in maintaining relief of upper GI symptoms throughout 6 months of treatment.
The proportion of patients with relapse at 6 months was lower in those treated with esomeprazole compared to placebo.
Patients on either non-selective NSAIDs or selective COX-2 inhibitors benefited from esomeprazole treatment.

Takeaway

This study shows that a medicine called esomeprazole helps people who have tummy aches from taking painkillers called NSAIDs feel better for a long time.

Methodology

Two 6-month randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled studies were conducted with patients who had relief from NSAID-associated symptoms.