[The effect of cimetidine on the metabolism and effects of alcohol]

This study was designed to show if therapeutic doses of cimetidine (Tagamet 400 Oblong-Filmtabletten; 400 mg b.i.d. and 400 mg t.i.d.) influence the elimination of alcohol. Following controlled alcohol doses to eight healthy volunteers without cimetidine and after three days cimetidine in the two dosage regimens, blood alcohol concentrations were determined and the degree of intoxication was recorded subjectively on a 100 mm scale. Statistical evaluation showed that the elimination and effects of the alcohol were similar on all three study days. One can conclude that, under these study conditions, cimetidine had no effect on the alcohol metabolism and blood concentration. Correlation between blood alcohol levels and degree of intoxication showed a significant linear relationship.