Healing and relapse rates of duodenal ulcer with various H2 receptor antagonists.

Retrospective analysis of 119 endoscopically proven cases of duodenal ulcer, treated with Famotidin (40 mg),Cimetidine (800 mg) and Ranitidine (300 mg) at bed -time, showed heating rates of 91, 74 and 68%, respectively, at 6 weeks. Twenty patients were followed up for one year on maintenance dose and endoscoped at 3, 6 and 12 months. Despite taking the drug regularly a relapse rate of 14% was seen with Famotjdine and 50% each with Cimetidine and Ranitidine. Though relapse was seen with all three drugs, with or without maintenance, but Famotidine showed better healing and less relapse rate with maintenance therapy (p <0.05) (JPMA 38: 319 , 1988).