Efficacy and safety of famotidine in the management of benign gastric ulcers.

The worldwide experience with famotidine in the management of benign gastric ulcers is reviewed. Analysis of data from 15 countries has shown that famotidine is more effective than placebo in treating gastric ulcers. Relief of pain is achieved earlier in famotidine-treated patients. Complete endoscopic healing may be expected in 64 to 80 percent of patients within eight weeks following the initiation of therapy. Response to famotidine does not appear to be affected by age, sex, smoking, regular alcohol consumption, or duration of disease. Short-term oral famotidine, at a dose of 40 mg daily, is well tolerated, and there have been no serious adverse experiences attributed to its administration. The efficacy of famotidine is comparable to that of other histamine (H2)-receptor antagonists.