[Ulcer therapy without acid inhibition].

The mechanism of action of ulcer drugs without acid inhibition appears to involve improvement of defensive factors of the gastroduodenal mucosa. The concept of ulcer healing without acid inhibition is attractive for theoretical reasons, because doubts have arisen about the safety of elevation of intragastric pH, especially in long-term treatment of peptic ulcer disease. Ulcer drugs that do not affect gastric acidity may therefore be preferred, provided they compare favorably to the best acid inhibitors available in terms of efficacy, adverse effects and other requirements. Among these drugs, sucralfate fulfills these criteria to a large extent.