[Effectiveness and tolerance of selected Polish antacids in the therapy of duodenal ulcer disease. A placebo- and ranitidine-controlled study].

In a randomized, open clinical trial we compared the efficiency of selected Polish antacids Alugastrin, Gastrin and Wikalina with ranitidine and placebo in the healing of duodenal ulcer, pain relief and drug toleration. One hundred and ten outpatients completed the study. The trial showed that antacids and ranitidine had similar rates of duodenal ulcer healing which were significantly better than placebo. After 4 weeks of treatment with Alugastrin, Gastrin, Wikalina and ranitidine the healing rates were 70%, 76%, 71% and 81%, respectively, compared to placebo 44%. Efficiency of antacids in pain relief was similar to placebo and slightly lower than ranitidine. Antacids were well tolerated, except for hypermagnezemia and urine alkalization caused by Gastrin and Wikalina. We conclude that studied antacids are as effective as ranitidine in promoting healing of duodenal ulcer, but because of side effects they are not recommended for maintenance therapy.