PANTOPRAZOLE IS SUPERIOR TO RANITIDINE IN THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE GASTRIC-ULCER

Background: Pantoprazole is a newly developed gastric H+/K+-adenosine triphosphatase inhibitor with a potent and long-acting inhibitory effect on gastric acid secretion. Methods: In a double-blind multicenter study with 28 centers in Germany, pantoprazole (40 mg before breakfast) was compared with ranitidine (300 mg at bedtime) with regard to healing rates, time until healing, symptom relief, and tolerability. A total of 248 outpatients with benign gastric ulcer were included. Results: The healing rates after 2, 4, and 8 weeks were 37%, 87%, and 97%, respectively, in the pantoprazole and 19%, 58%, and 80% in the ranitidine group. The differences between the two groups were significant at 2 weeks (p < 0.01), 4 weeks (p < 0.001), and 8 weeks (p < 0.001; Cochran/Mantel-Haenszel method). Ulcer healing proceeded significantly faster with pantoprazole (p < 0.001; Uleman's U-test). Both treatments were well tolerated. Conclusions: Pantoprazole appears to be superior to ranitidine in gastric ulcer healing.