Comparison of ranitidine and cimetidine in the inhibition of histamine, sham-feeding, and meal-induced gastric secretion in duodenal ulcer patients.

The effects of ranitidine, a new H2-receptor antagonist which does not contain an imidazole ring, and cimetidine have been determined on histamine, meal-induced gastric acid secretion, and serum gastrin levels in duodenal ulcer patients. Compared with cimetidine, ranitidine was found to be about eight times more potent an inhibitor of histamine-induced secretion and four to five times more potent an inhibitor of sham-feeding, and real feeding induced acid secretion without effecting serum gastrin levels.