COMPARISON OF PANTOPRAZOLE AND RANITIDINE IN THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE DUODENAL-ULCER

Background: Pantoprazole is a new substituted benzimidazole that block s the H+/K+-ATPase in the gastric mucosa and thus inhibits acid secret ion. Methods: Efficacy and tolerability of pantoprazole (40 mg at brea kfast) and ranitidine (300 mg at bedtime) in the treatment of uncompli cated acute duodenal ulcer were compared in a double-blind, randomized multicentre trial. Results: Of 202 outpatients who entered the study, 185 terminated the treatment without violation of the protocol. After 2 weeks of treatment, healing rates (protocol correct) with pantopraz ole and ranitidine were 81 and 53%, respectively (P < 0.001), the corr esponding results after 4 weeks were 97 and 83% (P < 0.01). Pantoprazo le was more effective with respect to symptom relief. Both treatments were well tolerated. Conclusion: Pantoprazole 40 mg at breakfast is su perior to ranitidine 300 mg at bedtime in the short-term treatment of acute, uncomplicated duodenal ulcer.