Do Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonists Influence the Metabolism of Ethanol?
Authors: Michael D. Levitt
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1993)

Editorials1 April 1993Do Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonists Influence the Metabolism of Ethanol?Michael D. Levitt, MDMichael D. Levitt, MDDepartment of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55417.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-118-7-199304010-00013 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail It has been claimed that ingested ethanol is metabolized during absorption through the gastric mucosa, and inhibition of this metabolism by certain histamine-2 (H-2) receptor antagonists enhances the blood alcohol response to small doses of ethanol. In this issue of the Annals, however, Raufman and coworkers convincingly demonstrate that none of the commercially available H-2 antagonists had a perceptible effect on blood ethanol concentrations after ingestion of 0.3 g/kg of body weight of ethanol, roughly the quantity in a bottle of 6% beer. This editorial reviews how and if ethanol metabolism might be influenced by H-2 antagonists and concludes that ...References1. Julkunen RJ, DiPadova C, Lieber CS. First-pass metabolism of ethanol. A gastrointestinal barrier against the systematic toxicity of ethanol. Life Sci. 1985; 37:567-73. Google Scholar2. DiPadova C, Worner TM, Julkunen RJ, Lieber CS. Effects of fasting and chronic alcohol consumption on the first-pass metabolism of ethanol. Gastroenterology. 1987; 92:1169-73. Google Scholar3. Julkunen RJ, Tannenbaum L, Baraona E, Lieber CS. First pass metabolism of ethanol: an important determinant of blood levels after alcohol consumption. Alcohol. 1985; 2:437-41. Google Scholar4. 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Effects of various concomitant medications on gastric alcohol dehydrogenase and the first pass metabolism of ethanol. Am J Gastroenterol. 1991; 86:1749-55. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55417.Corresponding Author: Michael D. Levitt, MD, Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417.Grant Support: In part by NIDDKD R01 DK13309-25 and by the Department of Veterans Affairs. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoHistamine-2 Receptor Antagonists Do Not Alter Serum Ethanol Levels in Fed, Nonalcoholic Men Jean-Pierre Raufman , Vincent Notar-Francesco , Robert D. Raffaniello , and Eugene W. Straus Metrics Cited ByPharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Interactions Between Alcohol and Other DrugsAlcohol and Drug InteractionsDrug Interactions with AlcoholGastric Emptying and First-Pass Metabolism of Ethanol in Elderly Subjects with and without Atrophic GastritisRanitidine increases the bioavailability of postprandial ethanol by the reduction of first pass metabolism.Drug Interactions with Antiulcer Agents: Considerations in the Treatment of Acid-Peptic DiseaseDrug Information Analysis Service 1 April 1993Volume 118, Issue 7Page: 564-565KeywordsAlcoholsAntidiuretic hormoneAttentionBloodBody weightEthanolGastric mucosaIngestionLiverStomach Issue Published: 1 April 1993 CopyrightCopyright © 1993 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...