Octreotide for arrest of peptic ulcer hemorrhage--a prospective, randomized controlled trial

A prospective, randomized controlled trial was performed over a 10-month period to evaluate the hemostatic effects of octreotide and ranitidine in 84 patients with active peptic ulcer bleeding or nonbleeding visible vessels at the ulcer bases.

Forty-two patients received octreotide 100 mcg bolus intravenously followed by 25 mcg/h intravenously for 1.4 +/- 0.6 days (mean +/- SD). The other 42 patients received ranitidine 100 mg intravenously every 12 h. The two groups were matched for sex, age, location of bleeders, endoscopic findings, shock, and initial hemoglobin.

Hemostasis was obtained in 35 (83.3%) of the octreotide group, and 23 (54.8%) of the control group (p<0.01). Volume of blood transfused, numbers of patients receiving aggressive management (endoscopic hemostasis or operation), and hospital stay were significantly less in the octreotide group as compared with those of the controls (p<0.05, p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively). No obvious side effect was found in the octreotide group.

We suggest that octreotide is a safe and effective drug in arresting peptic ulcer hemorrhage. It may be used as the first-line therapy for a patient with massive peptic ulcer hemorrhage before he is transferred to a medical center.