Abstract

Many patients with dyspepsia do not appear to have organic disease.¹ Cimetidine (Tagamet) is of proven efficacy in the treatment of peptic ulcer and reflux oesophagitis, but is widely used for the treatment of dyspepsia without investigation.^{2, 3} The data sheet for cimetidine now states that the drug is indicated “where reduction of gastric acid by Tagamet has been shown to be beneficial: persistent dyspeptic symptoms with or without ulceration, particularly meal-related upper abdominal pain”. Is this indication valid?