Comparison of two sucralfate dosages presented in tablet form in duodenal ulcer healing.

Two hundred twenty-two patients with endoscopically proven duodenal ulcers participated in a controlled trial to assess and compare the effects of two dosage regimens of sucralfate tablets on ulcer healing, i.e., 1 g four times daily (group A, n = 131) and 2 g twice daily (group B, n = 128). Healing was defined as complete re-epithelialization. Clinical and endoscopic assessments were performed after four weeks (Day 28) and, if complete healing was not achieved, after four more weeks (Day 56). After four weeks, in group A (n = 114: eight patients were lost and nine were withdrawn), the ulcers had healed in 90 patients (79 percent), and in group B (n = 108: six patients were lost and 14 were withdrawn), the ulcers had healed in 80 patients (74 percent). The cumulative healing rates after eight weeks were 94 percent in group A and 95 percent in group B. No serious adverse effect was observed in either group. These results suggest that sucralfate tablets in a dosage of 2 g twice daily are as effective as 1 g four times daily in the treatment of acute duodenal ulcers and could lead to better patient compliance.