Duodenal ulcer healing with four antacid tablets daily.

In a double-blind, randomized, multicenter trial in 80 consecutive outpatients with endoscopically verified duodenal ulcer, we have tested the ulcer-healing efficacy of a quite low dose of antacids, given only four times daily. The patients received one chewable aluminum-magnesium-antacid tablet (buffering capacity, 30 mmol/tablet) or placebo 1 h after meals and at bedtime. Re-endoscopy after 4 weeks of treatment showed healed ulcer in 28 of 38 patients (74%) in the antacid group, compared with 11 of 38 patients (29%) in the placebo group (p less than 0.001). The number of days and nights with ulcer pain was significantly less in the antacid group than in the placebo group during the treatment period. Thus, only four antacid tablets a day, with a total buffering capacity of 120 mmol/day, significantly promote duodenal ulcer healing and pain relief.