A double-blind study was designed to determine the effectiveness of ranitidine 300 mg a day in the treatment of gastritis.

A total of 52 patients with gastritis confirmed by panendoscopy were included in the study. Seven patients were withdrawn from the study.

• Subjective weekly evaluation of symptoms revealed that patients receiving ranitidine therapy for four weeks had considerable improvement in comparison with placebo.
• Among the patients who received ranitidine, there was complete resolution of symptoms in 20 of 25 patients (80%) and there was significant improvement in the other five patients.
• In the placebo group, only nine out of 20 patients (45%) showed improvement. Rest of the 11 patients had no change.
• There were no significant adverse effects in patients who received ranitidine.

Ranitidine was an effective therapeutic agent for patients with endoscopically confirmed gastritis.

Source: Hadi S. Clinical investigation of ranitidine in patients with gastritis. Clin Ther. Sep-Oct 1989;11(5):590-4.