Safety of cimetidine in obstetric patients

Abstract

Cimetidine has been suggested as a new approach to the prevention of the acid pulmonary aspiration syndrome in obstetric anaesthesia. In 20 patients in labour cimetidine 200 mg intravenously did not prolong labour or alter the pattern or strength of uterine contractions. The fetal heart rate did not show any alteration in rate or pattern and it was confirmed that cimetidine crosses the placenta. These findings suggest that further studies of cimetidine in obstetric patients would be safe.