The effect of cimetidine on ethanol concentrations in fasting women and men after two different doses of alcohol.

Author(s): Clemmesen JO, Ott P, Sestoft L

Affiliation(s): Dept. of Medicine F, University Hospital, Gentofte, Denmark.

Publication date & source: 1997-03, Scand J Gastroenterol., 32(3):217-20.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Serum ethanol concentrations may become higher when alcohol is consumed during treatment with histamine receptor antagonists, especially if ethanol is ingested postprandially. Only a few studies have investigated fasting subjects, and women have only been investigated sporadically. METHODS: The present study compared serum ethanol concentrations after a 4-h fast followed by a low (0.15 g/kg) and a high (0.45 g/kg) dose of ethanol, on two separate occasions in six women and six men. The study was carried out before and after treatment with 400 mg cimetidine twice daily. RESULTS: Cimetidine administration did not change the area under the concentration-time curve or the maximal serum ethanol concentration in either women or men, irrespective of ethanol dose. Ethanol elimination rate was unchanged by cimetidine. CONCLUSION: Cimetidine does not influence the ethanol concentration-time curve when ethanol is ingested on an empty stomach.