Histamine₂-Receptor Antagonists in Gastroduodenal Ulcer Haemorrhage

Abstract

This paper reviews randomised trials in which the effects of histamine₂-receptor antagonists have been studied in gastroduodenal ulcer haemorrhage. There is a trend in these studies that histamine₂-receptor antagonists may reduce the number of rebleedings, especially in elderly patients with gastric ulcers. A randomised trial comparing cimetidine and ranitidine in high risk patients with massive gastroduodenal haemorrhage is also presented. The total mortality in this study was 12%, 15% for gastric ulcer patients and 11 % for duodenal ulcer patients. There was no difference in mortality, amount of blood transfusion required, rebleedings or need for emergency surgery between the two treatment models.

Key Words:

• Gastroduodenal ulcers
• ulcer haemorrhage
• cimetidine
• ranitidine