NON-INDUCTION OF HISTOLOGICAL-CHANGES IN GASTRIC-MUCOSA OF DUODENAL-ULCER PATIENTS BY PIRENZEPINE (GASTROZEPIN, LEBLON) - A 6 MONTHS STUDY

Thirty patients with endoscopically proven duodenal ulcer (22 males, 8 females) were given 50 mg b.l.d. of pirenzepine (Gastrozepin; Leblon) until ulcer healing was shown (4-16 weeks). They were then divided at random into two groups, 15 receiving pirenzepine 50 mg at bedtime, 15 receiving placebo at bedtime, continuously for six months. Seven patients dropped out or were excluded, leaving 23 patients (12 on pirenzepine, 11 on placebo) to be evaluated. No significant histological changes in the mucosal lining were found after either short- or long-term treatment. This may be as a result of the lower inhibiting effect on gastric acid secretion. A possible protective action on the gastric mucosa has also been suggested. It is concluded that long-term treatment with pirenzepine does not significantly alter the mucosal morphology in the stomach of duodenal ulcer patients. © 1987.