Effect of indomethacin on basic parameters of gastric secretion, aggregative activity of blood platelets and fibrinolysis

Indomethacin at a therapeutic dose of 50 mg causes a significant increase in the basal and histamine-stimulated acid and pepsin secretion, a decrease in bicarbonate production, the suppression of ADP-induced platelet aggregation and antiaggregational activity of the vascular epithelium, and intensification of fibrinolysis at the expense of activation of its first phase. These effects determined by the blockade of prostaglandin cyclooxygenase, can contribute to the development of erosive-ulcerative hemorrhagic lesions of the gastroduodenal mucosa. The sensitivity of different people to indomethacin varies within broad limits. A study of a response of the thromboxan-prostacycline system to the drug administration can serve for objective assessment of individual drug tolerance, prognosis of complications and a choice of an effective therapeutic scheme.