Ranitidine Suppression of Gastric Hypersecretion Resistant to Cimetidine

Abstract
Although the H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine suppresses gastric secretion induced by all stimuli,1 there are reports of resistance to cimetidine.2 3 4 5 After abdominal surgery in three patients, we observed life-threatening gastric hypersecretion of unknown cause, which was resistant to cimetidine but promptly suppressed by the new H2 antagonist ranitidine.6 In one patient cimetidine-related leukopenia did not recur during treatment with ranitidine. The difference in the effectiveness and side effects of the two drugs may be related to differences in their structure-dependent membrane binding.Case ReportsCase 1An 83-year-old man with a 24-year history of dyspepsia and a three-month . . .