[Therapy of peptic ulcers with famotidine. Report of experiences with an open clinical study]

In a two center open uncontrolled clinical trial, the efficacy of a single evening dose of 40 mg famotidine (Ulcusan) was studied in a total of 37 patients (20 with chronic duodenal ulcers, 9 with recurring and 8 with acute gastric ulcers). 35 patients completed the study. In all 35 cases, endoscopic examination confirmed that ulcers had healed. All but one gastric ulcer healed within 4 weeks (80%) or 8 weeks (94.3%) of therapy. The cumulative rate of recovery for gastric ulcers was 87.5% and for duodenal ulcers 100%. During the first 4 weeks of therapy, vanishing of symptoms occurred and additional intake of antacids diminished progressively. Day-time symptoms tended to disappear earlier than nocturnal symptoms during the course of treatment. No objective or subjective side-effects were reported. A temporary exanthema appeared in 1 case after 4 weeks of treatment but could not be identified as causally related to famotidine. In this study famotidine turned out to be very effective in ulcer healing and was free of side effects. Thus, this preparation may be recommended also for "low-dose long-term prophylaxis" of chronic peptic ulcers.