Prevention of duodenal ulcer occurrence. Double-blind comparison of ranitidine and cimetidine.

We compared ranitidine and cimetidine in maintenance therapy to prevent duodenal ulcer recurrence over a period of 24 months. Endoscopic examination at the end of 12 months showed that the ulcers of 26 of 31 patients (84%) on ranitidine in a dose of 150 mg remained healed and of 10 of 13 (77%) patients on cimetidine in a dose of 400 mg at night remained healed. Thirty-four patients continued in an open evaluation of ranitidine in a dose of 150 mg at night for a further 12-month period, and during this time there were four further recurrences. Life table estimates of duodenal ulcer recurrence during the 2-year period showed no significant difference between the two forms of treatment.