title: Cimetidine as a single oral dose for prophylaxis against Mendelson's syndrome.
abstract: Cimetidine, a histamine H2-receptor antagonist which inhibits gastric acid secretion, was administered as a single 400 mg oral dose before anaesthesia to forty-six patients undergoing elective gynaecological surgery. The incidence of gastric residue pH above 2.5 was significantly greater (P less than 0.001) in cimetidine treated patients than in thirty-seven control patients. No patient who received cimetidine between 4 and 6 h prior to anaesthesia had a gastric residue pH less than 2.5. These findings suggest that cimetidine may be effective as a prophylaxis against acid pulmonary aspiration (Mendelson's) syndrome.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006146:Guanidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008875:Middle Aged; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013270:Stomach / Q000502:physiology; D013577:Syndrome; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006146:Guanidines; D002927:Cimetidine