EFFECTS OF H2‐RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS AND ANTICHOLINOCEPTOR DRUGS ON GASTRIC AND SALIVARY SECRETION INDUCED BY BETHANECHOL IN THE ANAESTHETIZED DOG

Abstract

1 The H₂-receptor antagonists, ranitidine and cimetidine, have been compared with, atropine and pirenzepine for their effects on gastric acid output, and on salivary secretion from the left parotid gland in the anaesthetized dog. Gastric and salivary secretions were elicited by intravenous infusion of bethanechol. 2 Atropine (0.3–1 Mg μg/kg) or pirenzepine (3–10 μg/kg) reduced both gastric and salivary secretions, pirenzepine showing little evidence of any selectivity for gastric secretion. 3 The H₂-receptor antagonists, ranitidine (30–1000 μg/kg) and cimetidine (100–3000 μg/kg), selectively inhibited gastric secretion and even at relatively high dose levels did not alter salivary volume.