Clinical Use of Histamine
We have a drug that mimics histamine used to diagnose achlorhydria called pentagastrin. A-Chlorhydria means “without hydrochloric acid.” Histamine is used to diagnose whether the person makes hydrochloric acid or not. If they get an injection of histamine, it should stimulate the parietal cells to secrete acid. After administration, we pull fluid out of their stomach, do a pH test and if the fluid is not acidic, that’s achlorhydria and means there’s something very wrong. It could be a sign of a precancerous situation like gastritis. It’s a warning test to see if something is very wrong.
- Diagnostic Agent for achlorhydria
