Early clinical experience with metiamide, a histamine H2-receptor antagonist, in patients with duodenal ulcer.

The clinical, endoscopic, and biochemical effects of metiamide, a histamine H2-receptor antagonist, in therapeutic dosage have been studied in a 28-day open trial in patients with duodenal ulcer disease. A good symptomatic response, combined with a 72% ulcer healing rate was observed. There were small but significant rises in plasma creatinine, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and serum lactate dehydrogenase during treatment. Small quantities of amino acids appeared in the urine, and the heart size increased slightly. It is concluded that histamine H2-receptor antagonism may be an important therapeutic approach to duodenal ulcer disease.