title: Efficacy and safety of long-term maintenance therapy of duodenal ulcers.
abstract: The efficacy and safety of continuous (maintenance) treatment with ranitidine has been studied retrospectively in 388 patients with duodenal ulcer. The cumulative rate of symptomatic relapse was 16% after 5 years. Very few of the patients developed ulcer complications during maintenance treatment, with a cumulative risk of haemorrhage of 1.8% during 5 years. The patients developed no drug-related disease. We conclude that long-term, continuous treatment with ranitidine is effective in maintaining remission of duodenal ulcers, protects the patients against the risk of complications, and is safe.
authors.affiliation: Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland, U.K.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Penston
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Wormsley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011899:Ranitidine