Comparative Effects of Nabumetone, Naproxen, Piroxicam, and Diclofenac on Rat Gastric lrritancy Following Acute Exposure to OTC Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents and Other Gastric Irritants

Abstract

This study examined the relative effects of equally-effective anti-inflammatory doses of nabumetone, naproxen, piroxicam and diclofenac on gastric irritancy induced by over-the-counter (OTC) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) aspirin and ibuprofen and a variety of necrotizing agents (0.6 N HCl, 0.2 N NaOH and 25% NaCl). Within one hour, aspirin 100 and 200 mg/kg and ibuprofen up to 15mg/kg produced significant gastric mucosal injury. Aspirin 50 mg/kg produced only minimal damage that was enhanced by 5×ID₂₅ piroxicam and naproxen, but not by nabumetone or diclofenac. 5 × ID₂₅ naproxen, piroxicam, and diclofenac significantly enhanced mucosal damage produced by ibuprofen 2.5 mg/kg. An equivalent anti-inflammatory dose of nabumetone failed to enhance the gastric irritancy produced by ibuprofen 2.5 mg/kg. Similarly, naproxen, piroxicam, and diclofenac enhanced the susceptibility of the gastric mucosa to the necrotizing actions of 0.6 N HCl, 0.2 N NaOH or 25% NaCl. Naproxen, piroxicam, or diclofenac are more likely than nabumetone to enhance gastric mucosal injury produced by OTC NSAIDs (aspirin and ibuprofen) or other gastric irritants.

Key Words:

• nabumetone
• naproxen
• piroxicam
• diclofenac
• GI irritancy
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)