A new anti-ulcer drug: A clinical and radiological evaluation

Summary

• 1. Clinical data upon use of a new parasympatholytic agent, Ba-5473 (Ciba), are presented.

• 2. Twenty-four patients so treated had radiologic confirmation of clinically diagnosed peptic ulcer; eight more had hypertrophic gastritis without peptic ulcer and another had duodenal diverticulitis.

• 3. With individual adjustment of dosage at 5 to 15 mg. four times daily all these patients obtained complete symptomatic relief. Acute symptoms were relieved in every case within 24 to 36 hours after beginning therapy; it was not necessary to continue dietary restrictions beyond the initial stage of treatment, if used at all. Average maintenance dosage is 5 to 10 mg. four times per day.

• 4. No significant side effects were observed after individualization of dosage at 5 to 15 mg. four times daily.

• 5. Radiologie evidence of ulcer healing after three weeks’ therapy was obtained in nineteen of the twenty-four cases. One patient was not checked thus at three weeks, but was asymptomatic then, and after three months x-ray examination showed that the ulcer had healed. Two patients are not yet due for three weeks’ restudy.

  One patient showed reduction of the ulcer crater at three weeks, then complete healing at seven weeks.

  One patient showed reduction of ulcer size after three weeks with complete healing at three months.

• 6. One patient having duodenal diverticulitis and pain previously uncontrolled by atropine has been asymptomatic during seven months\rs treatment with Ba-5473.

• 7. Two patients with spastic colitis and one with bronchial asthma obtained no relief from acute administration of Ba-5473.

• 8. It is believed that the parasympatholytic agent Ba-5473 warrants further study as an agent of real potential in the management of peptic ulcer, hypertrophic gastritis without ulceration and other spastic conditions of the upper gastrointestinal tract.