A field trial of cimetidine as the sole oral antacid in obstetric anaesthesia.

Cimetidine was used as the routine antacid treatment for 1323 parturients. The findings from 70 of those who needed an emergency general anaesthetic are reported. Once sufficient time had elapsed for absorption of the drug, and provided that the dosage regime was adhered to, 96% of the women studied had an intragastric pH above 2.5. Neonatal monitoring revealed no abnormalities related to the cimetidine treatment.