Pirenzepine in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. An endoscopically controlled trial.

One hundred and thirty one patients with duodenal ulcer were treated, in a multicentre controlled trial, with pirenzepine (50 mg three times a day for 4 weeks) or with a placebo, using the same schedule. One hundred had clinical examination and endoscopy at the beginning and at the end of the treatment plus a clinical examination at the end of the second week. The number of symptomatic responses and endoscopic healings was significantly greater in patients receiving pirenzepine than in those receiving the placebo. Complete endoscopic healing was achieved in 62% of the treatment group and 30% of controls after 4 weeks. The only detectable side effect was dryness of the mouth (26% in pirenzepine group vs 10% in controls). It is concluded, in view of its minor side effects, that pirenzepine which appears to be a very specific inhibitor of gastric muscarinic receptors provides physicians with a new, safe and effective treatment of peptic ulcer. It appears to be a good alternative to other gastric antisecretory drugs in the management of such patients.