Twice-daily ranitidine vs. standard cimetidine for treatment of duodenal ulcer

Walt et al conducted a study to compare the effect of twice-daily ranitidine with standard cimetidine on the healing of duodenal ulcers in a therapeutic trial.

The study included 103 patients, who were endoscopically diagnosed with duodenal ulcers. These patients were randomly treated with either cimetidine 200 mg tds and 400 mg nocte, or ranitidine 150 mg bd for four weeks. The first group received cimetidine (n=51) and the second group received ranitidine (n=52). Both these groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, length of history, smoking, and prior H2-receptor antagonist therapy. Comparison parameters included ulcer healing, pain relief, antacid consumption and unwanted side effects.

Findings:

• Ulcers healed in 77% of patients (40 among 52 patients) being treated with ranitidine and in 84% (43 among 51 patients) being treated with cimetidine.
• The difference in both groups was not significant.
• No significant difference was observed between healing rates after four weeks of standard cimetidine therapy or ranitidine 150 mg bd.
• There was no difference in the healing rates in males or females or the mean age of healers as compared to non-healers.
• A significant decrease  in the number of episodes  of pain was observed in both the drugs during the first two weeks of treatment (pË‚0.001)
• Less number of antacid tablets were consumed in both groups who continued the treatment.
• No serious unwanted effects were noticed in either treatment group. 

Conclusion:

The study concluded that ranitidine at a dose of 150mg twice daily was equally effective as standard cimetidine 1 g daily in divided dosage in the short-term management of duodenal ulcers.

Also, relief from pain was enhanced and antacid consumption was deceased by both treatments.

Source: Walt RP, Trotman IF, Frost R, et al. Comparison of twice-daily ranitidine with standard cimetidine treatment of duodenal ulcer. Gut 1981;22:319-22.