Abstract: 1-Substituted-2-(2-pyridinyl)ethanone N-oxides having the formula I or II: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, or benzyloxy; R.sub.4 is halogen, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, benzyloxy, ortho-amino, ortho-lower alkylamino, ortho-alkanoylamino or ortho-benzoylamino; and R.sub.5 is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or benzyloxy; the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof, and a process for the preparation thereof, are described. The compounds of this invention are useful for the treatment of allergic conditions and for the treatment of hyperacidity.This is a division of application Ser. No. 611,282 filed Sept. 8, 1975.