A multicenter, randomized, double-blind study comparing a daily bedtime administration of famotidine and ranitidine in short-term treatment of active duodenal ulcer.

The efficacy and safety of famotidine and ranitidine in the treatment of active duodenal ulcer were compared in a multicenter, randomized double-blind study. The study was carried out in 5 centers which included a total of 143 patients with endoscopically documented active duodenal ulcer. The patients received either famotidine (1 tablet of 40 mg at night) or ranitidine (2 tablets of 150 mg at night). Endoscopic examinations were performed at 4 and 6 weeks of active treatment. Day and nocturnal pain were also monitored and the laboratory and clinical profiles evaluated. One hundred and thirty-three patients fulfilled the evaluation criteria (66 patients in the famotidine group and 67 in the ranitidine group). Healing rates at weeks 4 or 6 of treatment showed no significant differences between the famotidine and the ranitidine groups. The healing rates were 79% at week 4 and 96% at week 6 in the famotidine group, and 77% at week 4 and 95% at week 6 in the ranitidine group. Similar results were observed in both treatment groups with regard to pain resolution, decrease in antacid intake and safety profile.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes