HYDROTALCITE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DUODENAL-ULCER

Twenty-two patients, aged 22 to 62 years, with duodenal ulcer were studied. Diagnosis was based on history, clinical examination, and confirmation of active ulcer by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Hydrotalcite liquid, 2 tsp TDS, was administered 1 hour and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime. Patients were evaluated 2 and 4 weeks after starting therapy. Endoscopy performed at the end of 4 weeks of treatment showed ulcer healing in 15 (68.2%) of the 22 patients. No side effects were encountered during treatment. The in vitro neutralizing capacity of 100 mL of hydrotalcite was 172.3 mEq of hydrochloric acid.