Ten facts about famotidine Review article

Abstract

Famotidine is currently the only H₂-receptor antagonist widely available in Polish pharmacies. Owing to its high affinity for H₂ receptors, it is effective at significantly lower doses than older drugs in this class. Unlike ranitidine, famotidine does not form carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds. Famotidine is used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and Zollinger–Ellison syndrome, among other conditions. Its onset of action is faster than that of proton pump inhibitors, which makes it particularly useful for relieving acute symptoms such as episodic heartburn. An important advantage of famotidine is the short discontinuation period required before diagnostic procedures, including testing for Helicobacter pylori, esophageal pH monitoring, and evaluation for eosinophilic esophagitis. Famotidine may also be used as an adjunct to proton pump inhibitor therapy in patients with nocturnal acid breakthrough. The drug has few clinically significant drug interactions and may serve as an alternative to proton pump inhibitors in patients who experience adverse effects with long-term proton pump inhibitors use. During pregnancy, famotidine may be used when clinically indicated, although omeprazole remains the first-line treatment.