Gastric motility following peroral administration of ranitidine. A double-blind comparison with placebo

Gastric pressure recordings were performed in 17 healthy persons, 21-25 years of age with a fiberoptic device. After an overnight fast two calibrated transducers fixed 8 cm between censors were localized to the antrum of the stomach by fluoroscopy. Ranitidine (150 mg) and placebo tablets were given perorally in the morning for two days before and on the day of the test 11/2 hours before recording in randomized order. As previously observed in the duodenum similar maximal pressure periods (MPP), of average 7 min duration and 0.6 min displacement from the proximal to the distal sensors were found without significant differences between treatments. The MPP following the ranitidine treatment occurred, however, significantly more frequently than after placebo, indicating a promotion of motility.