Which of the following drug was designed to prevent the interaction of histamine with the receptors present in the stomach wall?

The correct answer is Cimetidine.

Key Points

• Cimetidine is a histamine H2 receptor antagonist that inhibits stomach acid production.
• It was the first drug developed to block H2 receptors and prevent the interaction of histamine with receptors in the stomach wall.
• Cimetidine is commonly used for the treatment of peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
• The drug works by reducing the secretion of gastric acid, thus alleviating conditions associated with hyperacidity.
• Cimetidine was approved for medical use in 1976 and marked a significant advancement in gastrointestinal pharmacology.

Additional Information

• Histamine Receptors:
  • Histamine is a chemical messenger that interacts with specific receptors (H1, H2, H3, H4) in the body.
  • H2 receptors are primarily found in the gastric parietal cells and are responsible for stimulating the secretion of stomach acid.
• H2 Receptor Antagonists:
  • Drugs like cimetidine, ranitidine, and famotidine are classified as H2 receptor antagonists.
  • These drugs block the action of histamine on H2 receptors, reducing stomach acid production and aiding in ulcer healing.
• Stomach Acid-Related Disorders:
  • Conditions such as peptic ulcers, GERD, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome are caused by excessive stomach acid secretion.
  • H2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors are standard treatments for these disorders.
• Other Histamine Antagonists:
  • H1 receptor antagonists (e.g., loratadine, diphenhydramine) are used to treat allergies.
  • H3 and H4 receptor antagonists are primarily under research for neurological and immune-related conditions.