Omeprazole and ranitidine in the prevention of relapse in patients with duodenal ulcer disease.

Background: Although the eradication of Helicobacter pylori is of primary importance when initiating treatment, it is also important to have a strategy for patients who are H pylori-negative, fail to demonstrate eradication or have a tendency to become re-infected or relapse.

Patients And Methods: In a double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial of 928 patients (from 70 centres in 16 countries) with duodenal ulcers who after a short term study had relief of symptoms and healed ulcers proved endoscopically, 308 were randomly assigned to receive omeprazole 10 mg in the morning, 308 to receive omeprazole 20 mg in the morning and 312 to receive ranitidine 150 mg at bedtime for up to 12 months. Symptoms were assessed every three months and endoscopy repeated at three, six and 12 months, or more often if indicated by recurrence of symptoms.

Long term treatment with omeprazole 20 mg three days a week or 10 mg daily in the prevention of duodenal ulcer relapse.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare omeprazole 10 mg o.m. (daily) with omeprazole 20 mg o.