Sucralfate Versus Cimetidine in Reflux Esophagitis

A single-blind randomized multicenter study was performed in 42 patients with endoscopically documented reflux esophagitis. Patients were randomly given 400 mg cimetidine q.i.d. or a suspension of 1 g sucralfate q.i.d. for a period of 8 weeks. Forty patients were evaluated after 8 weeks. Symptomatic improvement was good and was comparable in both groups. We saw side-effects in only three patients, two on sucralfate and one on cimetidine, and these did not necessitate withdrawal from the study. Endoscopy showed improvement of esophagitis in 53% and healing in 31% of patients after sucralfate treatment. With cimetidine, improvement was seen in 67% and healing in 14%. One patient on cimetidine developed a stricture during treatment. We conclude that treatment with sucralfate improves symptoms and lessens severity of reflux esophagitis and that the results with sucralfate appear to be comparable to those obtained with cimetidine. Sucralfate is a valid alternative to H2-receptor antagonist therapy.