Ranitidine and Cimetidine

Excerpt

To the editor: Dr. McCarthy's conclusion in a recent editorial (1) that there appears to be no substantial difference between ranitidine and cimetidine conflicts with the opinions of others (2, 3) who also have recently reviewed the same evidence. The latter workers concluded that ranitidine is the preferred H₂-antagonist for certain patients, because of its lack of antiandrogenic activity and lesser affinity for the hepatic P450-linked mixed-function oxygenase enzyme system (P450 enzyme). In our view, the difference of opinions arises from undue weight given by McCarthy to short papers and letters of doubtful scientific value or even of relevance to