Future Treatment of Peptic Ulcers

Abstract

Drugs which abolish acid secretion and promise improved ulcer healing rates have produced dysplasia and turnours in experimental animals given large doses for long periods. Solutions to this problem will be based on better understanding of the mechanisms involved. Healing rates might be improved by combining inhibitors of acid secretion with ulcer protectors which, unlike currently available agents, are designed to work well in the presence of diminished acid secretion. Drugs which increase mucosal defence might best be used to prevent ulceration, so the need is to develop agents which are safe for long term use.