[Peptic ulcer: new aspects of conservative therapy]

In spite of the large number of preparations, medical therapy of peptic ulcer disease has long been unsatisfactory. Antacids, anticholinergics and diet neither accelerate healing of ulcers nor prevent recurrences. Carbenoxolone affects only gastric ulcers, while some medications exhibit substantial side effects. Cimetidine, a representative of the new generation of H2-receptor blockers which are potent inhibitors of gastric secretion, significantly enhances healing of duodenal ulcers. In addition, favorable effects on gastric ulcers, as well as on bleeding erosions and ulcers in the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, have been reported. Thus far no severe adverse reactions with cimetidine have been observed, but data on effects of long term use are lacking. Synthetic prostaglandins are not yet sufficiently evaluated for clinical use.