Pirenzepine versus Cimetidine in Duodenal Ulcer

90 patients with active duodenal ulcer were admitted to a double-blind trial to compare the effects of pirenzepine (150 mg/daily), cimetidine (1 g/daily) and placebo on the healing of duodenal ulcer. 5 patients did not complete the trial. In 21 of 29 patients (72%) receiving pirenzepine and in 21 of 28 (75%) of those receiving cimetidine, the ulcers had healed after 4 weeks of treatment compared with 10 of 28 (36%) patients receiving placebo (p less than 0.01). Symptomatic improvement and reduction of antacid consumption were significantly more marked in the pirenzepine- and cimetidine-treated groups than in the placebo group. Tolerability of drugs was good. The results show that pirenzepine is as effective as cimetidine for the treatment of duodenal ulcer.