Abstract

Pyrogastrone (Winthrop) is marketed to relieve symptoms and promote healing in oesophagitis. It is a palatable tablet containing 20 mg carbenoxolone sodium plus aluminium hydroxide, magnesium trisilicate, sodium bicarbonate and alginic acid. The manufacturer recommends that one tablet be chewed thrice daily after meals, with a further two tablets at bedtime. The daily dose of carbenoxolone is 100 mg (less than in the treatment of gastric ulcer) and the daily sodium ‘load’ is 13 mmol.