Cimetidine or propantheline combined with antacid therapy for short-term treatment of duodenal ulcer.

Seventy-one patients with duodenal ulcer disease completed a 3- to 6-week controlled randomized trial in which cimetidine (1 g daily) was compared with an optimally effective dose of propantheline. Both groups had free access to an antacid suspension. There were no significant differences between the groups concerning ulcer healing, relief of ulcer symptoms, antacid consumption, or patient compliance. After 3 weeks of treatment, endoscopic examination revealed complete ulcer healing in 63% of the cimetidine and 47% of the propantheline treated patients. The corresponding figures after 6 weeks were 94% and 86%, respectively. After 12 weeks, ulcer recurrence was confirmed in 26% of the cimetidine- and 23% of the propantheline-treated patients. Except for the absence of anticholinergic adverse reactions, no significant advantages could be confirmed for combined cimetidine and antacid treatment.