EFFICACY OF RANITIDINE IN THE TREATMENT O F NONULCER DYSPEPSIA IN COMPARISON WITH AN ANTACID

Background: It is generally accepted that functional dyspepsia is caus ed by heterogenous pathogenetic factors. From the clinical point of vi ew acid-related symptoms as heartburn, acid regurgitation and epigastr ic pain (acid-type) can be separated from general dyspeptic symptoms a s predominant fullness, nausea/vomiting (dysmotility-type). Patients a nd methods: In the present study, the influence of a four-week-treatme nt with ranitidine (twice 150/d, n = 346) in comparison with an antaci d (40 mmol/d, n = 340) on the severity and course of symptoms in patie nts suffering from an acid-related functional dyspepsia was investigat ed. Results: With ranitidine, acid-related as well as general dyspepti c symptoms disappeared in a significantly higher percentage after two and four weeks compared with antacid. Complete disappearence of sympto ms was documented with ranitidine after two weeks in 37% and after fou r weeks in 66% compared with antacid in 13% and 30% respectively (p < 0.005). Patients with severe symptoms, history of ulcer and long-term dyspepsia and slight endoscopic changes in the upper gastrointestinal tract showed a significant faster and more distinct response. Both kin ds of treatment were well tolerated. Conclusion: It is concluded that in acid-related functional dyspepsia ranitidine is superior to antacid in relieving symptoms. Therefore, a probative treatment with ranitidi ne up to four weeks is recommended as a practical therapeutic alternat ive in this syndrome.