[Therapy of duodenal ulcer and pyloric ulcer with 800 mg cimetidine nightly].

The efficacy of cimetidine 400 mg b.i.d. as compared with a single evening dose 800 mg was evaluated in a single-blind multicentre trial involving 86 patients with endoscopically proven duodenal or pyloric ulcer. After four weeks of treatment the healing rates were 64.4% (29/45) with 400 mg cimetidine twice daily and 78% (32/41) with 800 mg nocte; after eight weeks the corresponding rates were 77.7% (35/45) and 85.3% (35/41). Administration of 800 mg cimetidine every evening is, consequently, at least as effective as a twice-daily regimen. In the second half of the treatment period it was significantly more effective in reducing pain and antacid consumption. The single noctural dose takes the pathogenetic importance of overnight gastric acidity into consideration, entails a simplification of therapy and may improve patient compliance. It should, therefore, take preference over the conventional twice-daily regimen.