[Liver microsomal enzyme function in patients with duodenal ulcer treated with cimetidine]

The functional status of hepatocytes was evaluated using the breathing test with 14C-aminopyrine in a group of patients with duodenal ulcer treated with cimetidine, and the reversibility of liver microsomal system activity changes was assessed at various time intervals after the completion of treatment with the above mentioned drug. Thirty patients with duodenal ulcer treated with cimetidine were examined: before the treatment (Ia), after one day of treatment (Ib), after four weeks of treatment (Ic), after eight weeks of treatment (Id), one week after completion of treatment (Ie), and four weeks after completion of treatment. A significant decrease was found of the value of the breathing test already after one day of treatment with cimetidine which was more pronounced after four and eight weeks of treatment. An impaired microsomal system activity was shown even one week after completion of the treatment with cimetidine. The obtained results indicate the necessity of caution when other drugs are administered to patients treated with cimetidine, and this refers particularly to drugs impairing liver function, or metabolized in this organ.