| Popis: |
Background : Over-the-counter status has recently been approved for low-dose H2-antagonists in several countries. Insufficient information is currently available on the effect of food in low-dose H2-antagonist therapy. Aim : Compare the antisecretory efficacy of low-dose ranitidine and famotidine in fasting and non-fasting volunteers. Methods : Twenty volunteers were randomized into a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple-step crossover study comparing the antisecretory efficacy of 75 mg ranitidine, 10 mg famotidine and placebo over 12 h using intragastric pH-metry. Two standard meals were given after 4 h and 8 h of medication. Fifteen volunteers also participated in a second study comparing the antisecretory effect of both drugs, both with and without meals. Results : In non-fasting subjects, the percentage of time with pH > 4 was similarly elevated for both drugs compared with placebo over the first 8 h: ranitidine 39.3%, famotidine 29.5%, placebo 9.5% (P 0.05). Comparing the first 4-h period with the second, the percentage of pH > 4 was significantly reduced for both drugs in the second period in the subjects given food at the end of the initial 4-h period (ranitidine 56.9% vs. 26.6%, P = 0.005; famotidine 46.6% vs. 13.3%, P |
