Double-blind, placebo-controlled endoscopic comparison of the mucosal protective effects of misoprostol versus cimetidine on tolmetin-induced mucosal injury to the stomach and duodenum

Abstract Ninety normal volunteers were entered into a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to compare the efficacy of misoprostol (200 μg q.i.d.) vs. cimetidine (300 mg q.i.d.) in protecting the gastric and duodenal mucosa from tolmetin-induced (400 mg q.i.d.) injury. After 6 days of treatment, the degree of mucosal injury between treatments was compared by endoscopy, using a predetermined rating scale of 0 (normal mucosa) to 4+ (>25 hemorrhages or erosions or an invasive ulcer). Utilizing a score of ≤ 2+ (2–10 hemorrhages or erosions) as a therapeutic success, the overall success rates were 830 (26.7%) for placebo, 1930 (63.3%) for cimetidine, and 2729 (93.1%) for misoprostol (p