[Histamine-H2-receptor antagonists. Physiological and clinical aspects]

Histamine-H2-receptor antagonists (Burimamide, Metiamide, Cimetidine) may inhibit histamine-stimulated gastric secretion in various species including man; in constrast, conventional antihistaminics (H1-antagonists) do not do so. Gastric secretion as stimulated by pentagastrin, insulin, 2-deoxy-glucose or an intragastrically instilled meal is also decreased by H2-antagonists, and a final common mediator role for histamine in the gastric secretory is discussed. H2-antagonists do also inhibit pancreatic enzyme secretion, but do not affect at all bicarbonate secretion. Recent clinical trials have shown Metiamide to be superior to placebo in therapy of duodenal ulcer.