Misoprostol, a synthetic prostaglandin E1 analogue, in the treatment of duodenal ulcers. A double-blind, cimetidine-controlled trial.

The effects of two dosage levels of a synthetic prostaglandin E1 analogue, misoprostol, and cimetidine on short-term duodenal ulcer healing were compared in a double-blind, endoscopically controlled 4-week study. The 66 adult patients were randomly divided into three groups, receiving either misoprostol 200 micrograms 4 times a day, misoprostol 50 micrograms 4 times a day or cimetidine 300 mg 4 times a day. Rates of healing were comparable in the three groups, with complete healing in 62% of those patients receiving cimetidine and high-dose misoprostol. Patients whose ulcers had healed were then followed up for a further 6 months in order to assess recurrence rates. Relapse rates were significantly higher in the cimetidine-treated group (85% within 6 months) than in the misoprostol-treated groups (50% in the low-dose and 38% in the high-dose group).