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Ranitidine and cimetidine are two of the most common H2-receptor antagonists prescribed for gastric acidity. A study measuring their effects on the bioavailability of ethanol suggests that drinking and these drugs don't mix.
Researchers tested the blood alcohol levels of 20 healthy male volunteers (mean age, 35) during a baseline period and after a one-week course of either ranitidine (300 mg/d), cimetidine (1000 mg/d) or famotidine, another H2-receptor antagonist. Before each test, the subjects received oral or intravenous alcohol equivalent to one beer or glass of wine.
In subjects given alcohol intravenously, none of the three drugs significantly increased alcohol bioavailability. Among subjects taking alcohol orally, bioavailability incre…