Cimetidine and fat malabsorption in children with cystic fibrosis.

Under controlled clinical observation we administered Cimetidine (600 mg/m2/day) in 10 children with cystic fibrosis. All patients received identical diets (40% fat, 45% carbohydrate, 15% protein) as well as same standardized enzyme preparation (lyophilised whole pancreas). 3-day fecal fat and nitrogen excretion analyses were performed. After 6 days of Cimetidine therapy, an improvement of fat and nitrogen absorption could be detected in 5 patients. Statistical analysis of the group as a whole showed no improvement in fat absorption coefficients. We conclude that this drug therapy should only be recommended for routine clinical use after long-term trials have shown a real improvement of absorption.