The history of the development of drugs to treat the so-called acid related diseases makes a fascinating story, and the publication of this book addresses a significant chapter in that story. Before 1976, treatment of peptic ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux disease was either inadequate medical therapy involving antacids, non-selective anticholinergic drugs, or surgery with its associated morbidity problems. The advent of cimetidine (Tagamet), the first of the histamine H₂ receptor antagonists revolutionised the therapy of these diseases, and cimetidine became the first billion dollar drug. Subsequently, ranitidine (Zantac) superseded cimetidine as the world's most successful drug.

Despite their success, H₂ antagonists had some limitations, particularly in the treatment of gastroesphageal reflux disease and the arrival of omeprazole, the first proton …