Failure of ethamsylate to reduce aspirin‐induced gastric mucosal bleeding in humans.

Abstract

1 We investigated the effect of the haemostatic agent ethamsylate on aspirin-induced gastric mucosal bleeding.2 Eighteen healthy subjects were studied three times: at the end of 48 h periods of treatment with (a) placebo, (b) aspirin 600 mg four times daily, (9 doses) and (c) aspirin 600 mg four times daily with each dose preceded by ethamsylate 500 mg. 3 At the end of each treatment period gastric mucosal bleeding into timed gastric washings was quantified using the orthotolidine reaction.4 Aspirin increased bleeding from a rate on placebo of 1.2 ,ul 10 min-' geometric mean (95% confidence limits) (0.7-1.8) p1 10 min-' to 20.0 (11.6-34.2) plI 10 min-', (P < 0.01). The rate of bleeding after aspirin preceded by ethamsylate [14.1 (8.5-23.4) ,ul 10 min-'] was not significantly different from that after aspirin alone. 5 We conclude that ethamsylate does not reduce acute aspirin-induced gastric mucosal bleeding in healthy humans.

Therapeutic Efficacy and Mechanism of Action of Ethamsylate, a Long-Standing Hemostatic Agent

“…45,46 Finally, negative results were found in blood loss during total hip replacement 47 and in aspirininduced gastric mucosal bleeding. 48 …”