Some problems in modern anti-ulcer drug evaluation: A comparison of four gastric acid suppressors

Summary

Some of the problems involved in the treatment and evaluation of drug therapy in peptic ulceration are discussed. The results of four multi-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials in 520 patients are reviewed. It has been shown that the potent suppressors of gastric acid secretion, histamine H₂-blockers ranitidine and cimetidine, and 16, 16-dimethyl prostaglandin E₂. significantly accelerated the healing of peptic ulcers but that trithiozine had no beneficial effect.

Key Words::

• Ranitidine
• cimetidine
• prostaglandins
• trithiozine
• peptic ulceration