[The effect of cimetidine and famotidine on esophageal motility]

An effect of cimetidine and famotidine on the lower esophagus sphincter pressure and esophageal body motility has been investigated. The studies involved 30 patients with duodenal ulcer. The lower esophagus sphincter pressure, mean force and mean duration of spasms as well as wave transmission velocity in esophageal body, 1-13 cm above the sphincter, have been recorded with Polyphysiograph R-611. The lower esophagus sphincter pressure and esophageal body motility have been recorded 15 minutes prior to and following the administration of 200 mg cimetidine or 20 mg famotidine. It was shown that cimetidine has net changed the lower esophagus sphincter pressure and esophageal body motility parameters. Famotidine increased the lower esophagus sphincter pressure from the initial 2.31 +/- 1.19 kPa to 3.51 +/- 1.61 kPa (p < 0.05) and had no effect on the esophageal body motility parameters. It may be concluded that within H2-receptor antagonists famotidine may be considered a drug of choice in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux.