Pirenzepine in non-ulcer dyspepsia: a double-blind multicentre trial

In a double-blind multicentre study to compare pirenzepine with placebo in non-ulcer dyspepsia, 71 patients were randomized to receive 50 mg pirenzepine or placebo given orally twice daily for 4 weeks. The trial was not completed by five patients in the pirenzepine group and six in the placebo group. There were no significant differences between the groups in respect to changes in total symptoms (upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, early satiety and postprandial bloating, eructation and pyrosis) scores and outcome, although 27/35 (77%) patients receiving pirenzepine were cured or improved compared with 22/36 (61%) receiving the placebo. Adverse effects were reported by 13 (37%) patients treated with pirenzepine and by six (17%) treated with placebo, seven withdrawing due to adverse effects.