[Treatment of acute stomach ulcer with H2 receptor antagonists. A direct therapy comparison with 300 mg nizatidine nightly and 2 times 150 mg nizatidine with twice daily 150 mg ranitidine].

In this endoscopically controlled, double-blind study involving 242 patients with acute benign gastric ulcer, it was shown that the selective inhibition of nocturnal gastric acid secretion with 300 mg nizatidine administered on retiring represents an effective and reliable form of therapy. After four weeks of treatment, 90% of the patients receiving 300 mg nizatidine, no longer experienced nocturnal pain, in comparison with 83% receiving 2 X 150 mg nizatidine daily (n.s.). The total healing rates after four weeks were 60% in the patients receiving 300 mg nizatidine, 60% in those on 2 X 150 mg nizatidine daily, and 58% in those receiving 2 X 150 mg ranitidine daily. After eight weeks, the respective figures rose to 85%, 84% and 84%. Clinically relevant side effects were observed in none of the three groups. With a dose on retiring of 300 mg nizatidine, it is possible to accelerate the healing of a benign gastric ulcer, simply by the nocturnal suppression of gastric acid production, and, during the day, preserving physiological gastric function, thus avoiding the possible risks of protracted hypochlorhydria.