Efficacy of trimipramine and cimetidine in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. A double-blind comparison.

One hundred and fourteen consecutive outpatients with endoscopically proven duodenal ulcers were allocated in a double-blind study to treatment with either trimipramine (Surmontil), 50 mg at bedtime, or cimetidine (Tagamet), 200 + 200 + 200 + 400 mg/day, using identical-appearing active and placebo tablets to fill in the treatment scheme. One hundred and eight patients completed the study. Ulcer healing was assessed by endoscopy at 3, 6, and 9 weeks. Clinical symptoms and antacid consumption were recorded by means of interviews and a diary card system. The cumulated healing rate with cimetidine and trimipramine, respectively, was at 3 weeks 64% versus 40% (p less than 0.05), at 6 weeks 89% versus 65% (p less than 0.05), and 9 weeks 91% versus 78% (n.s.). We found no significant differences between the two groups with regard to pain relief, antacid consumption, or general symptomatic improvement.