Effects of loxtidine, a new histamine H2-receptor antagonist, on 24-hour gastric secretion in man.

The gastric inhibitory effects of loxtidine, a new histamine H2-receptor antagonist, were studied in healthy volunteers. Doses of 20, 40 and 80 mg given in the evening reduced nocturnal acid secretion by 91, 97 and 95%, respectively, and nocturnal pepsin secretion by 86, 89 and 90%, respectively. The same doses also increased median 24-hour intragastric pH from 1.6 to 4.1, 5.4 and 5.5, respectively, but intragastric pH had returned to control values by the end of the 24-hour study period. Loxtidine at a dose of 40 mg twice daily rendered gastric contents virtually anacid throughout the 24-hour study period. The powerful gastric inhibitory effects of loxtidine denote a potential use in the treatment of peptic diseases.