[Calcium-containing antacids in the therapy of duodenal ulcers]

The neutralization of acid by antacids and the inhibition of acid secretion by H2-receptor antagonists are the two essential factors in the standard therapy for peptic ulcer disease. In order to determine whether a high dosage therapy with a calcium-containing antacid accelerates the healing of the ulcer or retards it through the "Acid-rebound" effect of the calcium, we examined in a clinical study 10 patients with an endoscopically proven duodenal ulcer. After 2 weeks the duodenal ulcer was healed in 5 of the 10 patients. Thus a rate of healing was attained which was achieved in our clinic with a daily dosage of 1200 mg or 800 mg of cimetidine or with a Mg/Al-hydroxide-containing antacid in a daily dosage of 560 mval neutralization capacity in duodenal ulcer patients. On the other hand there was a difference in the healing of the ulcer between the methods of treatment presented and the exclusive dose of a placebo.