Inhibition by pirenzepine of nocturnal gastric acid secretion in duodenal ulcer patients.

Ten patients with endoscopically proven duodenal ulcers participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial to investigate the effect of pirenzepine on nocturnal gastric acid secretion. Pirenzepine, 50 mg orally at bedtime, inhibited acid secretion all night long: the overall volume secreted and acid output (midnight to 7 a.m.) were significantly less than after placebo. The decrease in acid output per hour was significant at 1,2,3,6, and 7 a.m. It was concluded that controlled clinical trials of maintenance therapy for prevention of relapse of healed duodenal ulcers should be carried out with pirenzepine taken at bedtime.