[Healing rates following omeprazole and ranitidine treatment of gastric ulcer. Results of a German multicenter study]

Abstract

The effectiveness of omeprazole (20 mg orally each morning) or ranitidine (150 mg orally twice daily) in the treatment of gastric ulcer was compared in 184 out-patient in a randomized, endoscopically controlled multi-centre double-blind ("double dummy") trial. Healing rates with omeprazole after two, four and eight weeks were 43, 81 and 95%, respectively, those with ranitidine were 45, 80 and 90%, a statistically not significant difference. Independently of medication, small ulcers (less than 8 mm diameter) healed more quickly than larger ones. Ulcers in the body of the stomach responded poorest to both drugs. Smoking had no statistically significant effect on healing rate. Omeprazole and ranitidine had similarly favourable effects on symptoms. Neither side effects nor changes in biochemical parameters could be ascribed to omeprazole. Both drugs had equivalent effects on the healing of gastric ulcers in the stated dosages.