Effect of the calcium antagonist verapamil on gastric secretion and mucosal histamine in man

ABSTRACT

The effect of i.v. injection of verapamil [5 mg] on the gastric secretion as well as mucosal histamine content was investigated in 10 healthy volunteer subjects. Gastric secretion and mucosal biopsies [from body and pylorus] were collected before and after verapamil administration. Verapamil significantly increased the volume of gastric juice, acid output and pepsin activity; however, the mucin content was not altered. During gastroduodenoscopy, after verapamil injection excess gastric juice and redness of the gastric mucosa were a consistent finding in all cases. The drug caused nonsignificant changes in the gastric mucosal histamine content whether in the body or the pylorus regions. The study suggested that gastric secretory stimulation of verapamil might not be mediated by mucosal histamine, but it could be attributed to the vasodilator effect of the drug