A comparison of omeprazole with ranitidine for ulcers associated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs

The antiulcer drug omeprazole appears to be more effective than ranitidine in treating ulcers in people on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Researchers randomly assigned 541 patients taking NSAIDs to 20 or 40 milligrams of omeprazole or 300 milligrams of ranitidine every day. Patients who responded to either drug continued to take it. About 80% of the patients taking omeprazole were successfully treated, compared to 63% of those taking ranitidine. Omeprazole was also more effective than ranitidine during long-term use.