Safety and tolerability of bismuthyl ecabet suspension, a novel anti-ulcer agent, following single and multiple oral dose administration in healthy Chinese subjects.

backgroundBismuthyl ecabet is a combination of sulfodehydroabietic acid and bismuth, which forms a new type of salt that is useful in treating peptic ulcers and gastritis.

objectiveThis study was designed to assess the safety and tolerability of bismuthyl ecabet suspension in healthy Chinese subjects.

methodsFor the study 77 volunteers were randomized into single- or multiple-dose groups for oral administration of bismuthyl ecabet 200-1600 mg once daily or 1200 mg twice daily for 7 days. Safety and tolerability were assessed by adverse events, physical examination and serum biochemistry.

resultsIn both the single- and multiple-dose studies, no severe adverse events were observed in any of the volunteers. The main adverse events caused by the drug in single-dose groups were an increase in serum alanine transaminase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, blood urea nitrogen, total bilirubin and skin rash. The numbers of adverse events judged to be possibly related to the drug were 2/18 in the 400 mg, 2/18 in the 800 mg, 1/8 in the 1200 mg, and none in the 200 or 1600 mg dose groups. In the multiple-dose studies, an increased serum ALT and aspartate transaminase (AST) was found in one subject after 7 days of administration of the drug. All serum biochemistry returned to normal levels and skin rash resolved after 7 days without any special treatment.

conclusionBismuthyl ecabet was shown to be safe and well tolerated in healthy Chinese subjects. The oral dosing regimen selected for subsequent phase II/III clinical trials was 800 mg twice daily.