Tiotidine, a new H2-receptor antagonist, is a potent inhibitor of nocturnal acid secretion in duodenal ulcer patients.

The efficacy of tiotidine, a new H2-receptor antagonist, in reducing nocturnal acid secretion of duodenal ulcer patients (N = 12, ages 21-60 years) was investigated. Different doses of tiotidine, 25, 50, 100, and 150 mg or placebo, were given as a single oral dose and acid secretion collected overnight. Tiotidine produced a significant, prolonged, and dose-related reduction of the nocturnal acid secretion without important side effects. The inhibition of cumulative H+ secretion after 25, 50, 100, and 150 mg tiotidine was 80, 89, 96, and 98% of that observed after placebo, while 300 mg of cimetidine caused an 87% inhibition. Compared to cimetidine, tiotidine appears to be approximately eight times more potent on a molar basis than cimetidine as an inhibitor of acid secretion, and the tiotidine effect is more prolonged. This strong and safe H2-receptor antagonist may be an important addition to the treatment of acid hypersecretory states.