Popis: |
In a double-blind, endoscopically controlled study on 367 duodenal ulcer patients, we compared the clinical efficacy of 300 mg ranitidine nocte with that of 300 mg nizatidine nocte, which is known to reliably provide selective inhibition of nocturnal acid secretion. Nizatidine was administered to 183, ranitidine to 184 patients. Endoscopy was performed at the start of the study, as well as at 2, 4 and 8 weeks. The presence of ulcer was defined as a benign lesion of the gastric mucosa measuring at least 5 mm in diameter; healing was characterized as complete reepithelialization. In the nizatidine group, as many as 76% of our patients were free from night pain at 2 weeks, and 88% at 4 weeks. Identical values were obtained in the group treated with 300 mg ranitidine nocte. The healing rates at 2, 4 and 8 weeks were comparable in the nizatidine and ranitidine groups (nizatidine: 57%, 87%, 92%, respectively; ranitidine: 63%, 90%, 96%, respectively). Clinically significant adverse effects were seen in neither of the two treatment groups. These results demonstrate that selective inhibition of nocturnal acid secretion achieves healing of duodenal ulcer and freedom from pain as rapidly and effectively as protracted inhibition of acid secretion provided by the administration of 300 mg ranitidine nocte. |