A double-blind randomized placebo controlled gastroscopic study to compare the effects of indomethacin capsules and indomethacin suppositories on the gastric mucosa of human volunteers

Abstract

Forty-five normal volunteers were divided into 3 equal groups, each receiving indomethacin or placebo once daily in he evening as a capsule or suppository for 10 days. The dose of indomethacin was 50 mg for the first 5 days and 100 mg for the second 5 days. Endoscopic evaluation of the gastric mucosa was carried out on days 1, 6 and 11. It was found that indomethacin capsules caused significantly more gastric irritation than indomethacin suppositories (p less than .01) or placebo (p less than .0001). No significant difference was found in the incidence of gastric injury observed in the indomethacin suppository and placebo groups.