The published world literature on the efficacy of
pirenzepine, a new anti-
muscarinic agent, in the treatment of gastric and
duodenal ulcer is reviewed. In 12 prospective randomized double-blind placebo controlled studies
pirenzepine was administered to 475
duodenal ulcer patients with an incidence of endoscopically proven healing of 74% when the daily dosage of the
drug was 100 or 150 mg but of only 55% if the dosage of the
drug was 75 mg or less. In 4 randomized double-blind placebo-controlled studies in which 84 patients with
gastric ulcer were admitted, the healing rates were similar (50% when daily dosage of
pirenzepine was 75 mg or less, 72% when the dosage ranged from 100 to 150 mg). When
pirenzepine was compared to
carbenoxolone or to
cimetidine in the treatment of gastric and
duodenal ulcer respectively, results obtained were comparable. Side-effects reported have been rare and of minor importance.
Pirenzepine appears to be an effective
drug for the short-term treatment of
duodenal ulcer. More data are required for an assessment of short-term
therapy of
gastric ulcer and long-term maintenance treatment.