The efficacy of
famotidine, a potent new long-acting H2 receptor antagonist, was compared with
cimetidine in 78 patients with endoscopically proven acute
duodenal ulcers. Additional
antacid self-medication was allowed if needed for relief of
pain. Thirty-nine patients were allocated to each group, receiving a nocturnal oral dose of either 40 mg
famotidine or 800 mg
cimetidine. Patients were reassessed by endoscopy at 2, 4 and 6 weeks if
ulcer healing had not occurred at the respective earlier control date. A diary was kept to record the duration and intensity of day and night
pain and the amount of
antacids ingested. After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment healing rates were not significantly different for either group (
famotidine 31 and 95%,
cimetidine 23 and 85%, respectively).
Pain relief was rapid in both treatment groups with a tendency for better response of nighttime
pain in
famotidine-treated patients.
Antacid consumption was not different in either group.
Famotidine appears to be an effective treatment for acute
duodenal ulcer. Compared to
cimetidine, healing rates and relief of
pain are not significantly different.