Recent studies have indicated that rebamipide is a drug with a pleiotropic effect, covering the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract and also extending beyond it. Rebamipide has prospects for use in endocrinology (in the model of diabetes mellitus, the drug showed hypoglycemic and antioxidant functions, which helped alleviate the symptoms of diabetic nephropathy); an anti-atherosclerotic effect of rebamipide has been shown; in rheumatology, its ability to reduce inflammation in the joints has been revealed; it is used in ophthalmology in dry eye syndrome, lagophthalmos, corneal erosion, etc. (due to its ability to increase corneal and conjunctival mucin-like substances), and can be applied in other areas as well. This article discusses the possibilities of using rebamipide in gastroenterology, depending on the various parts of the gastrointestinal tract.

Among the diseases of the digestive system, a significant place is occupied by acid-dependent diseases caused by excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid secreted by the parietal cells of the gastric mucosa. Due to their high prevalence and risk of complications, these pathologies represent a serious medical and social problem. Gastroprotective agents have a protective effect on the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. This group of medicines includes a range of drugs that differ in principle and mechanism of action, such as misoprostol, bismuth salts, as well as some herbal preparations, etc.

Rebamipide has a long history of use as a gastroprotective drug. However, a large amount of recent experimental data has made it possible to identify the multiple effects of rebamipide and expand the scope of its application. The purpose of this publication is to review and systematize knowledge about the mechanisms of action of rebamipide and discuss the field of its clinical application, which has an evidence base.