GASTRIC RETENTION OF SUCRALFATE GEL AND SUSPENSION IN UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL-DISEASES

This study was designed to compare by scintigraphy the gastric retenti on of a new dosage form of sucralfate as gel (Gastrogel) with that of sulcralfate suspension in 25 patients with upper gastrointestinal symp toms referred for routine endoscopy. After endoscopy 4 subgroups were defined: macroscopically normal mucosa (n = 7), antral gastritis and/o r erosions (n = 6), gastric ulcer (n = 6) and duodenal ulcer (n = 6). Each patient received either sucralfate gel or sucralfate suspension i n equivalent doses (5 ml containing 1 g sucralfate). Both formulations were labelled with 111 MBq Tc-99m-DTPA before administration. The mea n value of t1/2 in the total group was significantly longer when patie nts were taking sucralfate gel (61.6 min) compared to sucralfate suspe nsion (33.8 min) (P < 0.001). The mean values of t1/2 were significant ly longer for sucralfate gel compared to sucralfate suspension also am ong the subgroups (macroscopically normal P < 0.02, antral gastritis P < 0.05, gastric ulcer P < 0.02 and duodena: ulcer P < 0.05). After 2 and 3 hours, the percentage residual activity in the gastric area was significantly higher following administration of sucralfate gel compar ed to sucralfate suspension. This study has shown that, compared to su cralfate suspension, sucralfate gel persists longer in the stomach of patients with gastritis and peptic ulcer.