[Pirenzepine and cimetidine in the treatment of duodenal ulcer].

The efficacy of pirenzepin--of anticholinergic effect--and the H2-receptor blocking cimetidine has been studied in duodenal ulcer with random, double blind fashion. Recurrence examinations were carried out 6 and 12 months following the treatment. 50 patients were given pirenzepin and 50 cimetidine. The average age of the patients was 44.5 and 43.8 years respectively. Of them 60 (24 + 36) were men and 40 (26 + 14) women. At the start, 6 weeks following the start 6 and 12 months after the finishing of the treatment gastroscopy was performed. In the course of the six-week-long treatment 38 (76%) of the pirenzepin taking patients and 36 (72%) of the cimetidine taking patients recovered. No significant difference was found between the efficacy of the both treatments. In the respect of the half and one year recurrence, no significant difference was observed between the two patient groups. Ten of the patients taking pirenzepin and 4 of those taking cimetidine complained of side effects. Dryness of mouth, visual disturbance in the former group and constipation in the latter one. On the basis of the examinations both secretion inhibitors were found equally suitable for the therapy of duodenal ulcer.