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In addition to their role in control of acid secretion in the stomach, type 2 histamine (H2) receptors are also present on T helper and suppressor cells, B cells, and monocytes and macrophages. H2 receptor antagonists such as cimetidine may therefore have important immunomodulatory properties; indeed, small, uncontrolled reports and clinician anecdotes have cited improvements in CD4 cells in patients with HIV who are taking cimetidine.
To examine the drug's effect on CD4-cell count, investigators from AmFAR's Community Based Clinical Trials Network conducted a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial comparing cimetidine with placebo. Patients were eligible if they had been on a stable antiviral regimen for at least two months before enrol…