[Interaction of cimetidine and metoclopramide on the lower esophageal sphincter in man]

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Cimetidine and Metoclopramide on human lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure. Intravenous Metoclopramide in a bolus injection (0.3 mg/Kg or a maximal dose of 20 mg) produced an increase of LES pressure from 20,8 +/- 3,1 mmHg to a peak response of 42,0 +/- 5,0 mmHg. Intravenous Cimetidine in a bolus injection of 300 mg failed to alter basal LES pressure and LES response to Metoclopramide. Cimetidine in continuous infusion (100 mg/h) also failed to alter basal LES pressure and LES response to intravenous Metoclopramide. These studies suggest that: (1) Human LES pressure increases in response to intravenous Metoclopramide; (2) H2-Antagonism with Cimetidine has no effect on the human LES basal pressure; and (3) The H-2 receptors have no apparent role in the human LES response to Metoclopramide.