Is the inhibition of nocturnal gastric acid secretion the most important factor in duodenal ulcer treatment? A comparison between the effectiveness of single morning and nocte doses of ranitidine 300 mg

• Published in: Revista do Hospital das Clinicás Vol. 44; no. 5; p. 185
• Main Authors: Zaterka, S, Massuda, H K, Eisig, J N, Chinzon, D, Bettarello, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil 01-09-1989
• Subjects: Adult; Clinical Trials as Topic; Drug Administration Schedule; Duodenal Ulcer - drug therapy; Female; Gastric Acid - secretion; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Ranitidine - administration & dosage; Ranitidine - therapeutic use; Wound Healing - drug effects
• ISSN: 0041-8781

Fifty-five patients with an endoscopically confirmed duodenal ulcer were randomly allocated to receive ranitidine 300 mg either in a single morning or a single nocte dose (26 and 29 patients respectively). They were endoscopically examined at the end of the second week and when the ulcer was still active, the patient was treated for another two weeks, when endoscopy was repeated. Patients with ulcers still active at four weeks were considered treatment failures. The healing rate observed when ranitidine 300 mg was given in the morning was 10/26 (38%) at the end of the second week and 17/26 (65%) at the end of the fourth week. The healing rates after the 300 mg nocte treatment was 12/29 (41%) at the end of the second week and 20/29 (68%) at the end of the fourth week. No side effects were observed in any of the 55 patients, although one patient in the morning regimen bled at the end of the second week and was withdrawn from the study. Our results showed that ranitidine 300 mg in a single morning dose is as effective as when given in a single night dose. This finding is suggestive that reduction of nocturnal gastric acid secretion is important, but not essential for the healing of duodenal ulcer.