Cytoprotective approach to peptic ulcer therapy: a preliminary dose-finding clinical investigation with triletide

Thirty out-patients with gastric (8) or duodenal (22) ulcers were randomly assigned to receive a daily dose of 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 g triletide over a period of 8 weeks. Endoscopic findings and overall clinical rating indicated that triletide effectively accelerated ulcer healing in a proportion of patients (73% of responders), with a trend for better response at doses higher than 1 g/day, regardless of the ulcer location. Heartburn, epigastric pain and concomitant antacid consumption improved significantly in each dose group, but to a significantly greater extent in the highest dose group than in either mid-dose or low-dose groups. Tolerance of treatment was good at all dose levels, and no significant variations in routine haematology, haematochemistry or renal function tests were observed. It is suggested, therefore, that triletide provides an effective and well-tolerated new means to promote ulcer healing, both gastric and duodenal, with easily graded symptomatic relief by modifying the daily dose.