Ranitidine effervescent and famotidine wafer in the relief of episodic symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to measure the efficacy of 150-mg ranitidine effervescent tablets compared with 20-mg famotidine wafers in the management of patients presenting to primary care physicians with episodic symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).


METHODS
The study was of a multicentre, open, randomized, parallel-group design in which 32 Norwegian general practitioners participated. After a pre-treatment demographic and symptom assessment, eligible patients were allocated to either ranitidine effervescent tablet or famotidine wafer. Patients were then provided with the study medication, a stopwatch, and a 2-week symptom diary card. Efficacy was primarily determined by the time to adequate symptom relief for the first symptom episode.


RESULTS
In total, 377 patients were recruited to the study; 187 patients received ranitidine effervescent, and 190 received famotidine wafer. More than 50% of the patients had daily GORD symptoms before recruitment. Median time to adequate symptom relief was 15 min in the ranitidine group and 18.5 min in the famotidine group (P = 0.005). Adequate symptom relief within 60 min was reported by 165 (92%) ranitidine patients and 156 (84%) famotidine patients (P = 0.02). The number of non-responders after 60 min was twice as great in the famotidine group: 30 (16%) versus 15 (8%). A greater proportion of patients in the famotidine group liked taking the wafer formulation: 173 (94%) versus 126 (70%) (P = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
There was a statistically significant difference in favour of 150-mg ranitidine effervescent tablets in terms of time to adequate symptom relief and the proportion of patients who achieved adequate symptom relief for the first episode. A greater proportion of patients in the famotidine group liked the type of formulation than in the ranitidine group.
Engzelius
J M
JM
Nesbru Legesenter, Norway.
Solhaug
J H
JH
Knapstad
L J
LJ
Kjaersgaard
P
P
D000284:Administration, Oral; D015738:Famotidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013607:Tablets; D013997:Time Factors
D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D013607:Tablets; D015738:Famotidine; D011899:Ranitidine