Prolactin responses to histamine H2 receptor antagonists

We have compared the effects of cimetidine and SK&F 92994, a new more potent histamine H2 receptor antagonist, on serum prolactin, and also assessed the effect of the H2 receptor agonist impromidine on the response to cimetidine. As previously reported, cimetidine 200 mg given as an iv bolus dose produced a marked rise in serum prolactin, but 50 mg and 200 mg of SK&F 92994 given by the same route had no effect. Iv infusion of impromidine 10 microgram kg-1h-1 failed to modify the prolactin response to cimetidine. It is concluded that the rise in serum prolactin following iv administration of cimetidine may be due to a specific property of cimetidine. An effect mediated via histaminergic pathways within the central nervous system, although less likely, cannot be excluded.