Cimetidine therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease

In a Canadian multicenter trial, a new dosing regimen of cimetidine (Tagamet)-600 mg given twice a day-was compared with the standard regimen of 300 mg four times a day in 118 evaluable patients with endoscopically proved esophagitis. More than 90% of the patients evaluated had clinically moderate to severe esophagitis. After four weeks of therapy, both regimens had significantly reduced the number of episodes and the severity and duration of the worst episodes of daytime and nighttime heartburn, as evaluated by visual analogue scales. After eight weeks of therapy, this improvement persisted. There was no difference between the regimens. Healing was observed endoscopically in 57% of patients receiving cimetidine 300 mg four times a day and in 55% of those receiving 600 mg twice a day. Side effects were infrequent and minor.