[Treatment of mild to moderate reflux esophagitis with the H2-blocker famotidine].

The efficacy of a single daily dose of 40 mg famotidine was compared with that of the same dose administered twice daily for 4 and 8 weeks respectively, in the treatment of reflux oesophagitis of varying severity (oesophagitis stage I to III). A total of 20 patients took part in the trial; the rate of total recovery was 50%. A significant improvement was recorded in a further 10% of the patients, and no change was observed in 30%. In 5% of cases, a deterioration was seen, that is to say that the treatment was discontinued for 1 patient due to adverse reactions. Following a 4 week course of treatment, the rate of recovery was markedly better in the patient group given 40 mg twice daily, compared to the group receiving 40 mg once daily. After 8 weeks, taking into account the fact that 5 patients were withdrawn from the study, there was no significant difference in the rate of recovery. H2-blocker therapy would thus seem to be, as published, a potentially conservative treatment of mild to moderate forms of reflux oesophagitis. Higher daily dosages initially give better results.