[Medical therapy of peptic ulcer: problems and prospects]

In the last few years, several drugs have been proposed for the healing of peptic ulcers H2 receptor antagonists are probably the reference-drugs for their efficacy and safety. Acute treatment of peptic ulcer with cimetidine, ranitidine or famotidine gives a high healing rate: from 60% to 90%, depending on the location of the ulcer and the drug used. However, relapse after short-term treatment still remains frequent, and prophylaxis of recurrence must be decided. Long-term treatment with antisecretory drugs could be dangerous for changes of the gastric system, with nitrites and nitro-compounds occurrence, and for the risk of frequent relapses. Therefore, the role of mucus-barrier drugs and surgery must be reconsidered.