INTRAVENOUS OMEPRAZOLE VERSUS INTRAVENOUS RANITIDINE IN THE TREATMENTOF BLEEDING DUODENAL-ULCER - A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED TRIAL

This prospective randomized trial compares the results of i.v. omepraz ole and i.v. ranitidine in 45 patients admitted as an emergency with a n endoscopic diagnosis of bleeding duodenal ulcer. The patients were r andomized to receive i.v. omeprazole, 40 mg bolus followed by 80 mg/da y by continous infusion for 3 days (group A), or ranitidine 59 mg i.v. bolus followed by 400 mg/day i.v. continous infusion for 3 days (grou p B). Follow-up endoscopy on day 4 demonstrated successful therapy, ex cept when more than 4 units of blood/day had to be transfused to maint an hemoglobin level above 10 g/l. Bleeding stopped in 20/21 patients i n group A (95.2 %), and in 17/24 patients in group B (70.80 %) (p <0.0 5). From the results of the study, it can be concluded that intravenou s omeprazole seems to be effective in the control of bleeding duodenal ulcer.