title: Twice-a-day dosage of cimetidine in the short-term treatment of peptic ulcer.
abstract: The effect of cimetidine (400 mg twice a day) on the short-term healing of chronic peptic ulcer is reported. In benign gastric ulcer, 17 of 25 patients (68%) healed in six weeks and 23 of 25 patients (92%) by 12 weeks. In duodenal ulcer, 33 of 42 patients (80%) healed in six weeks and 40 of 42 patients (95%) by 12 weeks. In stomal ulcer after a previous Polya gastrectomy, eight of 10 patients (80%) healed in six weeks and 10 of 10 patients (100%) by 12 weeks. In this study, the cimetidine regimen of 400 mg twice a day has produced healing rates in gastric, duodenal or stomal ulcer which compare favourably with those reported for the currently recommended regimen of 200 mg three times a day and 400 mg at night. Twice a day dosage is likely to improve patient compliance, costs less, and may reduce dose-related side effects. Perhaps 400 mg of cimetidine twice a day should become the recommended dosage for the initial treatment of peptic ulcer.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000863:Antacids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006146:Guanidines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008276:Magnesium Hydroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012841:Simethicone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D014456:Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000863:Antacids; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006146:Guanidines; C008570:aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, simethicone drug combination; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide; D002927:Cimetidine; D012841:Simethicone; D008276:Magnesium Hydroxide