[The effect of oral administration of roxatidine acetate hydrochloride 3 hours prior to the operation on pH and volume of gastric juice].

The effect of roxatidine acetate hydrochloride, administered 3 hours prior to induction of anesthesia, on pH and volume of gastric juice was investigated in preoperative patients. In fifty patients, who were scheduled to undergo elective surgery, 150 mg of roxatidine acetate hydrochloride was administered orally 3 hours before the induction of anesthesia. The volume and pH of gastric juice were measured immediately after the induction of anesthesia. In 46 patients out of fifty, pH of gastric juice was more than 2.5, and its volume was below 25 ml. In another 4 patients, pH of gastric juice was more than 2.5, or its volume below 25 ml. We conclude that, oral administration of 150 mg roxatidine 3 hours preoperatively could be effective for the prevention of an aspiration pneumonitis.