How reliable are enteric‐coated aspirin preparations?

Abstract

Uncoated aspirin and two brands of enteric‐coated aspirin were given to eight patients and two healthy volunteers in multiple‐dose experiments designed ,to achieve relatively “steady‐state” conditions with regard to the various preparations. Satisfactory and reasonably consistent blood concentrations of salicylate were obtained with ordinary aspirin and one enteric‐coated brand. Results with the second enteric‐coated brand indicated capricious and generally poor absorption. The findings are discussed in terms of the problem of devising satisfactory enteric‐coating and of reliance on in vitro studies for predicting biologic activity.