Prevention of metabolic alkalosis induced by gastric fluid loss using H2 receptor antagonist

Gastric fluid loss is a common cause of metabolic alkalosis. We studied various acid-base parameters in 20 patients undergoing continuous nasogastric (NG) suctioning for periods ranging from 3 to 17 days. Ten patients received cimetidine 300 mg intravenously every 6 hr (cimetidine-treated group). The remaining 10 patients received an antacid compound through the NG tube (control group). The rise in plasma bicarbonate concentration was significantly greater in the control group as compared to the cimetidine-treated group. As expected, gastric acid output was considerably lower in the cimetidine-treated group than in the control group. We conclude that cimetidine administration may be used in preventing metabolic alkalosis associated with gastric fluid loss by inhibiting gastric secretion of HCl.