Effects of Cimetidine on non-ulcer dyspepsia

Non-ulcer dyspepsia is a prevalent problem that made patients visiting the doctor. Different medications are used, such as cimetidine, ranitidine, metoclopramide and omeprazol. The present study was conducted in Kashan in 1995-96 to determine the effects of cimetidine on non-ulcer dyspepsia. It was a double-blinded clinical trial with concurrent controls. Patients who had at least one of the following signs or symptoms for 3 months were included: Bloating, nausea, vomiting, reflux, belching and heartburn. Physical examination and necessary tests were used to rule out any underlying disease and endoscopy was applied to exclude any organic GI problem. Patients were randomly distributed in two groups of case and control. Case group received cimetidine 200 mg/qid for 2 weeks and the control group received placebo. Of 70 patients, 40 were males and 30 were females. The mean age (±SD) of case and control group was 30.1±8.1 and 29.1±9.1 years, respectively (NS). Partial or complete improvement of signs and symptoms were shown in 86.6% of patients in the case group and 82.9% of control subjects. Results have revealed that cimetidine is an effective agent for non-ulcer dyspepsia. Surveying the efficacy of other drugs is highly recommended.