Maintenance treatment of recurrent peptic ulcer by cimetidine

68 patients with chronic peptic ulcer took part in a double-blind trial in which 32 received the histamine H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine, (400 mg twice daily) and 36 received a placebo, for a year. 6 of those on cimetidine had an endoscopically proven recurrent ulcer within a mean of 7 months, while 30 of those on placebo had one after a mean of 4 months (P less than 0.0005). 1 patient on cimetidine had two recurrences compared with 12 patients on placebo (P less than 0.0005). No patient in the cimetidine group had complications compared to 4 patients in the placebo group, 2 of whom had melaena and haematemesis and 2 melaena alone (P less than 0.05). 15 patients on placebo and 1 on cimetidine were referred for surgery during the trial because of symptoms from their recurrent ulcers. Day and night ulcer pain and antacid consumption were significantly less, and general wellbeing better, in cimetidine group. The only probable side-effect of cimetidine was reversible drug-induced liver damage of hypersensitivity type in 1 patient.