More on False-Positive Hemoccult Reaction with Cimetidine

Abstract

To the Editor: Norfleet et al. reported in their letter in the February 21, 1980, issue that gastric aspirates from patients taking cimetidine tablets produce a false-positive Hemoccult reaction (Smith-Kline Diagnostics, Sunnyvale, Calif.) if the gastric aspirate is tested within 15 minutes of ingestion. The authors stated that cimetidine also causes a positive reaction when it is applied to Hemoccult test paper before the developing solution is added. Schentag, however, was unable to produce a positive Hemoccult reaction when he added a stock solution of cimetidine hydrochloride and blank nasogastric aspirate to the Hemoccult test paper, but he did obtain . . .