Enteric‐Coated Charcoal as a Means of Blinding Studies Comparing Bismuth and H2‐Receptor Antagonists

S. Yates, C. Barnett, W. L. Peterson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Clinical trials comparing H2‐receptor antagonists and bismuth‐containing regimens in ulcer healing, ulcer relapse, or dyspepsia have not been double‐blind, because bismuth darkens stools. This study was designed to determine whether enteric‐coated charcoal could darken stools of subjects taking an H2‐receptor antagonist without interfering with absorption of the drug. Twelve healthy volunteers participated in a randomized, double‐blind, crossover trial of oral ranitidine (300 mg at bedtime) alone, ranitidine plus bismuth (30 ml Pepto‐Bismol four times daily), and ranitidine plus enteric‐coated charcoal (four tablets daily). Mean stool colors both with ranitidine plus charcoal and with ranitidine plus bismuth were significantly darker than with ranitidine alone, but were not significantly different from each other. Blood levels of ranitidine during the 10 h after its administration did not differ significantly among the three regimens. We conclude that enteric‐coated charcoal can be used to blind clinical trials comparing an H2‐receptor antagonist (e.g., ranitidine) and a bismuth regimen.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)981-984
Number of pages4
JournalThe American Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume87
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1992

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Enteric‐Coated Charcoal as a Means of Blinding Studies Comparing Bismuth and H2‐Receptor Antagonists'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this