Histamine-2 receptor antagonists do not alter serum ethanol levels in fed, nonalcoholic men.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the four histamine-2 receptor antagonists currently available for the treatment of acid-peptic disorders in the United States alter serum ethanol levels after moderate alcohol consumption.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized crossover design comparing the effects of histamine-2 receptor antagonists and no treatment on serum ethanol levels. Each participant served as his own control.


METHODS
Twenty-five healthy nonalcoholic men (21 to 35 years old); two participants were withdrawn before starting the study.


METHODS
University medical center.


METHODS
Cimetidine (400 mg twice daily), famotidine (20 mg twice daily), nizatidine (150 mg twice daily), ranitidine (150 mg twice daily), and no treatment for 7 days. After the last dose of medication, participants ate a standard meal; 1 hour later they drank ethanol (0.3 g/kg body weight in 500 mL of orange juice) over 8 minutes.


METHODS
Simultaneous measurements of breath and serum (headspace gas chromatography) ethanol were made before and 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 minutes after ingestion of ethanol.


RESULTS
Peak ethanol levels did not differ (mmol/L; mean +/- SE) after cimetidine (3.0 +/- 0.3), famotidine (2.9 +/- 0.3), nizatidine (2.9 +/- 0.3), ranitidine (3.1 +/- 0.4), and no treatment (2.9 +/- 0.4). Similarly, there was no difference in the area under the curve (mmol/L.h; mean +/- SE) after cimetidine (4.3 +/- 0.5), famotidine (3.8 +/- 0.4), nizatidine (4.2 +/- 0.5), ranitidine (3.9 +/- 0.4), and no treatment (4.0 +/- 0.5).


CONCLUSIONS
In healthy nonalcoholic men, the histamine-2 receptor antagonists currently available in the United States do not alter serum ethanol levels following moderate alcohol consumption after an evening meal.
Raufman
J P
JP
Division of Digestive Diseases, SUNY-Health Science Center, Brooklyn 11203-2098.
Notar-Francesco
V
V
Raffaniello
R D
RD
Straus
E W
EW
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood*; D015738:Famotidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016567:Nizatidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000494:pharmacology
D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D000431:Ethanol; D015738:Famotidine; D002927:Cimetidine; D011899:Ranitidine; D016567:Nizatidine