Lavoltidine

Lavoltidine is a histamine antagonist, specifically a H2 antagonist, that was developed for potential use in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, its development was discontinued due to the occurrence of drug-induced hepatitis in clinical trials.

History

Lavoltidine was first synthesized in the late 1970s by the pharmaceutical company SmithKline Beecham. It was part of a new class of drugs, the H2 antagonists, which also included cimetidine, ranitidine, and famotidine. These drugs were designed to inhibit the action of histamine on the stomach, reducing the production of stomach acid and thus helping to heal peptic ulcers and control GERD symptoms.

Pharmacology

Lavoltidine works by blocking the H2 receptor, a type of histamine receptor found predominantly in the stomach lining. By blocking these receptors, lavoltidine prevents histamine from stimulating the production of stomach acid. This can help to heal peptic ulcers, which are often caused by excessive stomach acid, and can also relieve the symptoms of GERD, a condition in which stomach acid backs up into the esophagus.

Clinical trials and discontinuation

In clinical trials, lavoltidine was found to be effective in reducing stomach acid production and in treating peptic ulcers and GERD. However, some patients developed drug-induced hepatitis, a serious and potentially fatal liver condition. As a result, development of lavoltidine was discontinued.

See also

• Histamine antagonist
• H2 antagonist
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease