Ranitidine in the treatment of duodenal and prepyloric ulcer: comparison of two dosage regimens

In a double-blind controlled study eight-two patients with duodenal or prepyloric ulcer were treated with either 100 mg of 150 mg ranitidine twice daily. After 4 weeks of treatment the ulcer had healed in twenty-two of forty-one patients (54%) on 200 mg of ranitidine and in thirty-six of forty-one patients (88%) on 300 mg of ranitidine. In the x2-test this difference was statistically significant (p less than 0.01). Relief of pain and reduction of mucosal inflammation were similar in both groups. There were no drug-related side-effects nor consistent changes in laboratory findings. We conclude that a daily dose of 300 mg ranitidine is superior to 200 mg ranitidine in the treatment of duodenal and prepyloric ulcer and that the short-term use of ranitidine seems to be safe for the treatment of these ulcers.