High Doses of Ranitidine in Maintenance Therapy of Duodenal Ulcer Patients

Abstract

Chronic duodenal ulceration is a recurrent disease. Acute exacerbations may be treated effectively with H₂-receptor blockers and a variety of other agents. Intermittent treatment may pose risks of recurrence and complication, and these may be greatly reduced by maintenance treatment. Operative management also reduces recurrence rates, which, however, are commoner in patients coming to surgery nowadays. Full-dose maintenance therapy is an effective option for selected patients.

Key Words:

• Duodenal ulcer
• H₂-receptor antagonist
• maintenance therapy
• ranitidine