Abstract
The effect of rantidine on meal-stimulated pepsin and acid secretion 3-4 h after administration of the drug was compared in 10 healthy volunteers. The results showed an insignificant reduction of pepsin output, whereas acid output was reduced 78.5%, demonstrating the difference in response of the chief and parietal cells to an H2-receptor antagonist. Adding ethanol to the meal did not reduce the acid-inhibiting effect of ranitidine.