Effect of a New Potent H2-receptor Antagonist on Meal-stimulated Gastric Acid Secretion and Serum Gastrin Concentration in Duodenal Ulcer Patients

We evaluated the effect of 20-, 40-, 60-, and 80-mg doses of SKF 93479, a new H2-receptor antagonist, on food-stimulated gastric acid secretion in duodenal ulcer patients. Medications were given as a single oral dose in the morning with a breakfast meal, and acid secretion was measured by in vivo intragastric titration in response to four blended steak meals infused into the stomach at intervals over a 24-hr period. A breakfast meal was infused immediately after medication; a luncheon meal was given 5 hr after drug, and a dinner meal was instilled 10 hr later. A second breakfast meal was infused 24 hr after medication. For comparison, the effect of 300 mg cimetidine, given as normally prescribed (with meals and at bedtime), on acid secretion was also studied. Food-stimulated acid secretion was inhibited in a dose-related manner by each of the four doses of SKF 93479. The antisecretory effect was most dramatic following the luncheon meal, and there was still significant (P less than 0.05) inhibition of acid secretion at the dinner meal with all doses of SKF 93479. With the second breakfast meal 24 hr after medication, the 80-mg dose alone achieved significant (P less than 0.05) inhibition of acid secretion. Inhibition of acid secretion was correlated positively with blood SKF 93479 levels. When compared with placebo results, serum gastrin concentration, measured 5 and 10 hr after medication, was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) with SKF 93479.