OMEPRAZOLE VERSUS FAMOTIDINE IN THE HEALING AND RELAPSE OF DUODENAL-ULCER

Sixty patients with symptomatic duodenal ulcer were randomized to rece ive either omeprazole (20 mg each morning) or famotidine (40 mg at nig ht time) for 2-4 weeks in a double-blind parallel group clinical trial . Healing rates were higher with omeprazole in comparison with famotid ine after 2 weeks (77% vs. 40%, P < 0.001) and 4 weeks (93% vs. 80%, P = 0.2) of treatment. Assessment of daily diary cards completed by all patients revealed that omeprazole rapidly relieved ulcer-related day pain and nocturnal pain in comparison to famotidine. Treatment with om eprazole for 2 weeks was also associated with lower cumulative antacid intake (P < 0.05) and reduced absenteeism from work. Helicobacter pyl ori infection was present in all patients and remained unaffected by t reatment with either of the drugs. None of the drugs produced any sign ificant adverse effects. During 6 months follow-up of all the patients after ulcer healing (without maintenance therapy), ulcer relapse was seen in 40% of omeprazole- and 37% of famotidine-treated patients (P > 0.1). The duration of ulcer-free period following initial healing of ulcer was also similar in both the groups (median time: 22 weeks for o meprazole, 21 weeks for famotidine). We conclude that omeprazole is su perior to famotidine in rapidly healing duodenal ulcers and achieving more rapid pain relief, but does not influence subsequent ulcer relaps e.