Tricyclic antidepressants in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease

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Abstract
Doxepin hydrochloride was given to 12 patients with duodenal ulcer and 1 patient with an anastomotic ulcer. The dose of doxepin hydrochloride was 100 mg at bedtime, except in patients receiving hemodialysis, where only 50 mg at bedtime was given. Eight patients, including the 4 receiving hemodialysis, had not responded to treatment after 8 weeks of cimetidine and/or antacid therapy. All patients (except 1 where a minor erosion was left in the duodenum) responded and healing of the ulcer was demonstrated by endoscopy after 4-6 wk of treatment. In 2 patients the ulcer recurred in 4-8 wk after discontinuation of doxepin therapy; however, ulcers healed after 4 wk when therapy was reintroduced. Five previously untreated patients with duodenal ulcer were also given the same treatment. Four healed 6 wk after starting doxepin therapy. In 1 patient the dose of doxepin hydrochloride had to be raised to 150 mg for complete healing.