[Nizatidine versus ranitidine in the treatment of acute duodenal ulcer. Comparison of 300 mg nizatidine and 300 mg ranitidine in a single evening dose]. / Nizatidin versus Ranitidin in der Behandlung des akuten Ulcus duodeni. Vergleich von 300 mg Nizatidin und 300 mg Ranitidin in einmal abendlicher Dosis.

In a double-blind, endoscopically controlled study on 367 duodenal ulcer patients, we compared the clinical efficacy of 300 mg ranitidine nocte with that of 300 mg nizatidine nocte, which is known to reliably provide selective inhibition of nocturnal acid secretion. Nizatidine was administered to 183, ranitidine to 184 patients. Endoscopy was performed at the start of the study, as well as at 2, 4 and 8 weeks. The presence of ulcer was defined as a benign lesion of the gastric mucosa measuring at least 5 mm in diameter; healing was characterized as complete reepithelialization. In the nizatidine group, as many as 76% of our patients were free from night pain at 2 weeks, and 88% at 4 weeks. Identical values were obtained in the group treated with 300 mg ranitidine nocte. The healing rates at 2, 4 and 8 weeks were comparable in the nizatidine and ranitidine groups (nizatidine: 57%, 87%, 92%, respectively; ranitidine: 63%, 90%, 96%, respectively). Clinically significant adverse effects were seen in neither of the two treatment groups. These results demonstrate that selective inhibition of nocturnal acid secretion achieves healing of duodenal ulcer and freedom from pain as rapidly and effectively as protracted inhibition of acid secretion provided by the administration of 300 mg ranitidine nocte.

[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]. / Behandlung des akuten Magenulkus mit H2-Rezeptor-Antagonisten. Ein direkter Therapievergleich von 300 mg Nizatidin nocte und zweimal 150 mg Nizatidin mit zweimal 150 mg Ranitidin.

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.