The H2-antagonists, cimetidine and ranitidine: studies on performance

Abstract

The effects of single oral doses of cimetidine (200 and 400 mg) and ranitidine (150 and 300 mg) were evaluated on visuo-motor coordination, dynamic visual acuity, digit symbol substitution, symbol copying, and critical flicker fusion, and on subjective assessments of mood and well-being in seven healthy female volunteers. The study was double blind and placebo controlled, and triprolidine (10 mg) was used as an active control. With cimetidine and ranitidine there were no adverse changes in performance, central nervous function or subjective assessment of mood. Triprolidine impaired visuo-motor coordination, reduced the number of substitutions on the digit symbol substitution test and the number of symbols copied, lowered the critical flicker fusion threshold and reduced dynamic visual acuity. Cimetidine (200-400 mg) and ranitidine (150-300 mg) are highly unlikely to impair performance, and may be used in individuals involved in skilled activity.