Effects of anticholinergic drugs on Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

Anticholinergic drugs in a patient with Z-E syndrome were only temporarily successful in suppressing gastric hypersecretion and producing symptomatic relief. After escape from control with propantheline bromide, glycopyrrolate was only partially successful in suppressing basal acid secretion. Eventually, complete escape from anticholinergic control occurred with a recurrence of significant gastric hypersecretion and the development of severe peptic esophagitis, necessitating total gastrectomy.