Randomized prospective trial of cimetidine in the treatment of acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage.

A prospective, double-blind randomized trial was carried out in order to assess if cimetidine treatment can control the gastrointestinal haemorrhage stemming from acute mucosal lesions (acute ulcers and erosions) of 33 bleeding patients treated with cimetidine. GI haemorrhage has been controlled in 32 (97%) cases while placebo treatment of 32 patients proved to be successful in 15 (47%) cases. The difference proved to be statistically significant. It is concluded that patients bleeding from acute mucosal lesions might be successfully treated with cimetidine.