Cimetidine does not increase alpha 1-acid glycoprotein serum concentrations

Serum concentrations of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) were studied in six healthy, male volunteers before and after administration of cimetidine, 300 mg by mouth every 6 h for 2 days. Serum AAG concentrations were measured at three different times during the first day, i.e. before cimetidine administration, and on the fourth and sixth days, after commencing cimetidine administration. Neither cimetidine treatment nor time of day contributed significantly to differences in serum AAG concentration, and no interaction of these factors was observed. It is concluded that altered drug-AAG binding as a result of cimetidine therapy is not likely to be an important mechanism contributing to cimetidine drug interactions.