Efficacy of Omeprazole Versus Famotidine in the Short-Term Treatment of Gastric Ulcer

The efficacy and safety of omeprazole and famotidine in the treatment of 60 aged patients with active gastric ulcers were studied. Five patients dropped out due to non-compliance and were unable to follow up endoscopic examination. The two groups were not signifcantly different with regard to sex, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, and ulcer size. Patients were randomized to receive omeprazole (Om 20 mg once per day, total 27 patients) or famotidine (Fa 20 mg twice per day, total 28 patients). Endoscopy, serum pepsinogen-I (PGI), gastrin-17 (G17), and cyclic AMP concentration were performed before, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. The healing rate in those patients receiving omeprazole was 81.5% (22/27) at 4 weeks and 92.6% (25/27) at 8 weeks, while in the famotidine group, the healing rate was 67.8% (19/28) and 82.1% (23/28) respectively. Serum PGI and G17 showed marked elevation both in Omeprazole and Famotidine groups at the end of 4 weeks (p＜0.01), While c-AMP did not show any significant change. The Om group showed slightly higher serum PGI and G17 both at the end of 4 and 8 weeks than the famotidine group. Serum PGI and G17 decreased toward the baseline after discontinuation of drugs. Significantly higher symptomatic relief was found in the omeprazole group, especially after 8 weeks (p＜0.05). No major adverse effect was noted during treatment with both drugs. We concluded that omeprazole, 20 mg once daily, and famotidine 20 mg twice daily can therefore be deemed safe in aged patients.