Review of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling and safety of proton pump inhibitors and aspirin.

The efficacy of aspirin in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases has been convincingly demonstrated. Gastrointestinal (GI) adverse effects with aspirin may lead to poor adherence and/or discontinuation of treatment. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been used for more than 20 years as the first choice for treating peptic ulcers and their bleeding complications, gastroesophageal reflux disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced GI lesions and dyspepsia. Adherence becomes a major concern when aspirin is co-prescribed with PPIs to prevent GI adverse effects. Combining aspirin and PPIs into one tablet is an effective approach to address aspirin-related GI adverse effects and increase adherence to aspirin therapy for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.