Effects of Microencapsulated vs. Enteric-Coated Acetylsalicylic Acid on Gastric and Duodenal Mucosa: An Endoscopic Study

Two preparations of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) were tested for their effects on gastroduodenal mucosa in a randomized crossover double-blind study that involved 12 healthy volunteers Medication M (Monobeltin) consisted of 1,050 mg ASA provided with an enteric coat and medication C (Colfarit) consisted of 1,000 mg of a microencapsulated ASA preparation. Both drugs were taken for 6 consecutive days each. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed before and 2 and 6 days after each medication. An interval of 10 days elapsed between one treatment and the other. Gastric lesions occurred in 10 of 12 subjects taking medication M and in 11 of 12 subjects taking medication C after 2 days and were present in all subject after 6 days. Duodenal lesions were seen only in subjects taking medication C. The degree of gastric mucosal lesions based on two grading scales was not significantly different between the two treatments. Neither of the two pharmaceutical formulations of ASA provided sufficient protection for the gastric mucosa.