Expert: Dr. Leo Nollet - 1/25/2008

Question
I'm considering taking this drug for hearing loss.  Do you know anything about its effectiveness or side effects?

Answer
Dear John,
I'm found some interesting information on http://www.secondopinionnewsletter.com/alert-detail.php?ha_id=46
Some side effects are reported.
"The article describes characteristics of rebamipide that acts on the increase of endogenous prostaglandin and suppression of free radicals. Sudden exacerbation of gastric mucosal lesion, chronic and acute gastritis are targeted by the drug. A small fraction of patients who had been prescribed with rebamipide developed side-effects. No difference in the occurrence of side-effects among different age groups was observed. It has been reported that liver cannot dissolve rebamipide and the drug show no interaction with other medication. It suppresses superoxide production from neutrophil, eliminates hydroxyl radicals, inhibits the activation of neutrophil in indomethacin-induced gastric mucosa injury in rats and limits exacerbation of ulcer. Prescription of rebamipide for replacement of antiulcer drugs to rheumatic patients under medication of NSAIDs exhibiting erosion and hemorrhage achieved a high efficacy rate. Also, the findings of a study which investigated whether rebamipide actually suppresses the development of gastric ulcer are presented. In addition, the efficacy of rebamipide is reported from another study in which rebamipide was administered for 48 weeks to patients with gastritis who tested positive for Helicobacter pylori."