AstraZeneca's Nexium shown to reduce gastric ulcers in patients using long-term Nsaids

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., March 22 - AstraZeneca said results from two clinical trials, to be published in the April 2006 edition of the American Journal of Gastroenterology, indicate that Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium) can reduce the incidence of gastric (stomach) ulcers in patients at risk of developing gastric ulcers and who regularly take either non-selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nsaids) or COX-2-selective Nsaids.

The trials involved a total of 844 patients in the United States and 585 patients internationally who received daily non-selective Nsaid or COX-2 therapy for at least four weeks before and throughout the duration of the six-month trial.

These patients were at risk of developing a gastric or duodenal ulcer as a result of older age (greater than or equal to 60 years) and/or had a history of previous gastric ulcers, according to a company news release.

Results showed that 5.2% of patients taking Nexium 20 mg and 4.6% of patients taking Nexium 40 mg, in addition to their regular non-selective Nsaid/COX-2-selective therapy, developed an ulcer at six months, compared to 17% of the patients taking a placebo.

"Paradoxically, Nsaid use is common among patients at high risk for gastric ulcers or other complications associated with these medications," Dr. James M. Scheiman of the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, said in the release.

"Although COX-2-selective drugs generally cause fewer gastric ulcers than non-selective Nsaids, these events aren't completely eliminated, and the residual side-effect rate still may be high. Data from the two trials showed that Nexium was effective in reducing stomach ulcers in at-risk patients who require chronic Nsaid treatment."

AstraZeneca is an international health care business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and health care services. The company is located in Wilmington, Del.

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