[Treatment of recurrent ulcer with cimetidine]

The most effective treatment of recurrent ulcer is re-operation, which is associated with high rates of mortality or complications, and of recurrences. Antacid treatment is disappointing. There are conflicting reports of the effect of cimetidine. We present a prospective study of 10 patients with recurrent ulcer treated with cimetidine, 1.0 g/day for six weeks, with endoscopic follow up. The ulcer healed in five after six weeks of treatment and in seven after 12 weeks, but recurred 2-8 months later. We conclude that cimetidine has a shortterm effect in recurrent ulcer and is indicated only in high risk patients.