The FDA in the US has approved Duexis (Horizon), a fixed-dose combination of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofen and the H2-receptor antagonist (H2RA) famotidine, for symptomatic relief of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and to decrease the risk of developing gastric and duodenal ulcers in patients at risk for NSAID-associated ulcers.  The combination, compared to ibuprofen taken alone, reduces the risk of endoscopically-detected gastroduodenal ulcers.  Whether it is as effective for this indication as the addition of a proton pump inhibitor to an NSAID remains to be established.  The high dose of ibuprofen in Duexis may be more than many patients need. (7 refs.)