Ranitidine versus cimetidine prior to emergency obstetric anesthesia

Twenty parturients in labour received emergency obstetric anesthesia were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group "R" received 150 mg oral ranitidine tablet on admission, followed by 50 mg infusion in 250 ml dextrose 5% over 30 minutes prior to anesthetic induction. Group "Ce" received 400 mg cimetidine oral tablet and 100 mg infusion in 250 ml dextrose 5% over 30 minutes. Ten parturients were considered as control. Ranitidine significantly reduced the maternal gastric volume with marked alkalinization of gastric pH. No significant changes were detected in the height, frequency or amplitude of uterine contraction or neonatal assessment.