Utility of BID administration of cimetidine for gastric ulcer: a comparison with QID administration in a double blind manner.

The clinical efficacy of cimetidine for gastric ulcer was compared between the standard administration methods in Japan; 200 mg four times daily and 400 mg twice daily after breakfast and at bedtime in a double blind manner. It was found that the results obtained by 200 mg twice-daily administration were almost comparable to those obtained by the four-times-daily administration without statistically significant difference for healing rate, final global improvement in subjective and objective symptoms, incidence of adverse reactions and effects on laboratory tests. These findings resulted in that the twice-daily administration of cimetidine provides convenience for patients.