Faecal Blood Loss During Administration of Acetylsalicylic Acid, Ketoprofen and Two New Ketoprofen Sustained-Release Compounds

The influence of one week's treatment with acetylsalicylic acid, ketoprofen, ketoprofen sustained-release capsules (Biovail capsules), and ketoprofen sustained-release tablets (IBP tablet) on gastrointestinal bleeding was investigated in 41 healthy male volunteers by means of a radiochromium assay. The physiological faecal bleeding was 0.10 to 0.90 ml/day (99% confidence limits). It appeared that faecal bleeding during treatment with acetylsalicylic acid medication was greater than bleeding during medication with ketoprofen capsules in equipotent dosage, the latter being in turn causing significantly more bleeding than during medication with the newly developed Biovail capsules. The most modest faecal bleeding (0.8 ml/day) was seen with IBP tablets.