Twelve healthy subjects completed an open single dose study to evaluate the effect of co-administration of cimetidine and ranitidine on the pharmacokinetics of cifenline. Each subject received a single 160 mg dose of cifenline alone, in combination with cimetidine (300 mg four times daily), and with ranitidine (150 mg twice daily). The H2-receptor antagonists were given with breakfast 1 h prior to cifenline dosing and continuing for 48 h. Co-administration of cimetidine significantly increased Cmax (27%) and AUC (44%) and prolonged the half-life (30%) of cifenline. There were no differences in these parameters when ranitidine was co-administered with cifenline. The results of this study suggest that cimetidine, but not ranitidine, lowers the clearance of cifenline by inhibition of hepatic oxidative metabolism.