Objective: To assess the long-term safety of the single-tablet combination of ibuprofen 800 mg and famotidine 26.6 mg.
Research design and methods: A phase 3b open-label study (NCT00984815) was conducted in 86 adults requiring daily non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administration for ≥12 months. The combination tablet of ibuprofen/famotidine was self-administered orally three times daily for up to 54 consecutive weeks. Adverse events (AEs) were collected beginning at the first dose and continued through completion (54 weeks). The Severity of Dyspepsia Assessment (SODA) questionnaire was completed by patients to assess tolerability.
Results: Most patients (65%) finished the trial, with 76% contributing data at 6 months, and 21% withdrew due to adverse effects. Overall and gastrointestinal AE discontinuation rates (21% and 13%, respectively) were lower than that previously reported with ibuprofen 2400 mg given alone. Each of the SODA subscale scores demonstrated improvement by week 6 and improved statistically significantly at week 24 and week 54. Of the cardiovascular AEs, hypertension was reported most frequently (9/86, 9.3%), with 3.5% determined to be drug related. Twelve serious AEs were reported by 9 of 86 (10%) patients; two were considered possibly related to the study medication (unstable angina and gastric ulcer). There were no reports of serious gastrointestinal or CV complications. Most AEs were mild or moderate in severity and not considered drug related.
Conclusions: These data, together with previously reported findings of a significant decrease in upper gastrointestinal endoscopic ulcer rate at 6 months, support the overall safety, compliance, and tolerability of this single-tablet formulation.
Keywords: Cardiovascular; Famotidine; Gastrointestinal; Ibuprofen; Osteoarthritis; Rheumatoid arthritis; Safety.