Clinical evaluation of triletide versus antacids in the treatment of duodenal ulcer out-patients.

: Thirty out-patients with endoscopically assessed, active duodenal ulcer of mild to moderate intensity were randomly assigned to 8-weeks' treatment with either antacids (0.8 g/day each of aluminium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide), triletide (1.5 g/day) or a combination of the two treatments. Every other week, the intensity of subjective symptoms and of objective signs was scored and recorded, and the endoscopic outcome assessed at the 8th week. Three patients on antacids alone and 1 on triletide alone were withdrawn at the 4th week because of therapeutic failure. Symptoms and signs improved in the three groups significantly faster, to a significantly greater extent, and in more patients with triletide, alone or in combination, than with antacids. Endoscopic evidence of therapeutic response was detected in significantly more patients given triletide, alone or in combination, in comparison with the group who had antacids. A significant influence on promoting ulcer healing could be attributed to triletide (p less than 0.05, multiple linear regression) and not to antacids. Tolerance was complete in all patients. It is concluded that triletide appears to be equally well tolerated as, but significantly more effective than, antacids in relieving symptoms and promoting healing in patients with mild to moderate duodenal ulcer.