Likelihood of relapse of duodenal ulcer after initial treatment with cimetidine or colloidal bismuth subcitrate

Abstract

Colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS, DE-NOL) and cimetidine have been compared in a double-blind randomized trial in the management of 75 patients with duodenal ulcer. The drugs had similar potency with respect to ulcer healing. At one month the healing rates were 66% for CBS and 59% for cimetidine. At two months the rates were 89% and 85% respectively. When the drugs were withdrawn patients who had received CBS had significantly lower relapse rates than those who had received cimetidine. Relapse rates for CBS and cimetidine were 13% and 70% at six months and 39% and 85% at one year respectively.