[Comparison of the efficacy of famotidine and cimetidine in in prophylaxis of Mendelson's syndrome in elective surgery].

The Authors compared the effects of two H2-antagonist drugs (Famotidine and Cimetidine) on both volume and acidity of gastric secretions. Patients were assigned to three randomized groups, which received respectively: (1) Famotidine 40 mg P.O. the evening before the surgical act; (2) Cimetidine 300 mg P.O. in the same way and Cimetidine 300 mg I.M. 90 min before the induction of anaesthesia; (3) no drug with H2-antagonist effect. Compared with the control group, the treatment with Famotidine and Cimetidine decreases both volume and acidity of the gastric secretions. In the Famotidine group no patient showed pH less than 2.5 and gastric secretions volume greater than 25 ml.