Ranitidine in uncomplicated duodenal ulceration. A double-blind endoscopically controlled trial

Fifty patients with endoscopically proven uncomplicated duodenal ulcers were given either ranitidine 150 mg twice daily or placebo for 4 weeks in a randomized double-blind study. After 4 weeks 76% of patients on ranitidine showed healing. Fifteen (60%) were completely healed, 5 (20%) were partly healed, and 5 had active unchanged ulcers. Of the patients on placebo 6 (27%) were completely healed, 6 (27%) were partly healed, 10 had active unchanged ulcers and 3 had absconded. Grouping partly healed with active ulcers, a Z value of 2,23 was obtained in the Mantel-Haenszel test (P = 0.013 in favour of ranitidine over placebo). Of 10 patients who were partly healed or had active ulcers after being given ranitidine in the first stage of the study, 7 healed on one further course in an open study and 3 still had active ulcers after two further courses. Of 16 patients who were partly healed or had active ulcers after 4 weeks on the placebo, 3 healed on one course of ranitidine, 6 healed on two courses, 6 still had active ulcers after two courses, and 1 absconded. No side-effects were noted. Ranitidine is a safe and effective drug for the treatment of active duodenal ulceration.