A multicentre comparison of trimoprostil and cimetidine in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. U.K. Trimoprostil Study Collaborative Group.

Trimoprostil is a new synthetic prostaglandin E2 analogue that inhibits acid secretion and has mucosal protective properties. It was compared with cimetidine to assess its effectiveness in the short-term treatment of duodenal ulcer. Seven centres recruited 107 patients, who were randomized to receive either 3 mg trimoprostil daily (n = 54) or 1 g cimetidine daily (n = 53) for 4 weeks, the drugs being taken in four divided doses. Of patients completing treatment, 23 of 40 (58%) healed with trimoprostil, compared with 47 of 53 (89%) with cimetidine (p less than 0.001). Both drugs relieved daytime and nighttime pain, but cimetidine was significantly quicker. Eight patients taking trimoprostil were withdrawn because of pain, nausea, and vomiting, but none taking cimetidine; diarrhoea did not occur with trimoprostil. There were no clinically significant changes in haematology or in biochemistry studies. In conclusion, trimoprostil was not as effective as cimetidine in the treatment of duodenal ulcer.