Optimal reduction of gastric acid secretion in the treatment of peptic ulceration.

Pronounced and sustained inhibition of acid secretion is currently the therapeutic principle most frequently applied in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. Since theoretically short term risks of complete inhibition of acid secretion cannot be totally ruled out, anti-secretory anti-ulcer drugs should interfere as little as possible in the physiology of gastric acid secretion. This concept is presently best achieved through the single bedtime dose of H2-blockers, which has been shown to be as effective as a twice daily dosage regimen in peptic ulcer disease. This reduces only nocturnal acid secretion, while daytime acidity remains unaffected. But there is a close correlation between the extent of the reduction of nocturnal acid secretion, healing rates and pain relief. Additionally, large clinical trials with peptic ulcer patients have shown that after 14 days' treatment with H2-blockers 30 to 50% of patients still complain about ulcer pain and about 20 to 40% of patients take supplementary antacids. As a result of this there is undoubtedly a need for an additional medication that produces a more pronounced reduction of acidity than current treatment with H2-receptor antagonists as a single evening dose. Obviously this dosage regimen does not always fulfil the therapeutic requirements (i.e. pain relief) of the individual patient. Therefore a more flexible form of application should be introduced. In general clinical use it is not feasible to identify patients with a higher treatment requirement by acid secretion analysis. However, what is feasible is the recommendation to increase the dose and frequency of administration of H2-blockers in relation to the symptoms of pain.