[Famotidine in the treatment of duodenal peptic ulcer]

A multicenter, open study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a novel and potent H2 receptor antagonist, Famotidine, in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. Thirty-four patients with endoscopically proven active duodenal ulcer were treated with Famotidine, 40 mg, one tablet, at bedtime, for six weeks. Follow-up endoscopic exams were done every two weeks until ulcer healing was obtained. One patient was excluded from further analysis as he failed to follow the protocol. Healing rates achieved were 48.5%, 91% and 97% by the second, fourth and sixth week of treatment respectively. After 72 hours 52% of the patients were asymptomatic and 79% at the end of the first week of treatment. Famotidine was well tolerated, no clinical neither laboratory adverse events were observed during the study. Famotidine, a novel H2 receptor antagonist appears to be effective and well tolerated in the treatment of most patients with duodenal ulcer.