The drug "Famotidine" is a medicine used for gastrointestinal diseases. It is a competitive histamine antagonist. The means "Famotidine", the mechanism of action of which is aimed at H2 histamine receptors in parietal cells, significantly reduces the production of hydrochloric acid, provoked by various irritants. Pepsinogen secretion is inhibited to a lesser extent. The drug "Famotidine" provokes a dose-dependent suppression of the production of hydrochloric acid and a decrease in the activity of pepsin. When taking the medicine, a significant change in the level of gastrin in the plasma is noted.
The duration of the effect after a single use of the drug depends on the dosage. As a rule, the duration of action is from twelve to twenty-four hours.
The tool "Famotidine" instructions for use recommends for adults with exacerbation of ulcers of the duodenum or stomach, erosive gastroduodenitis, symptomatic ulcers once a day for forty milligrams or twice a day for twenty milligrams. By agreement with the doctor, if necessary, the daily dosage may be increased to 80-160 mg. The duration of treatment is from one to two months.
To eliminate the signs of dyspepsia provoked by increased secretory gastric function, the Famotidine preparation recommends taking twenty milligrams once or twice a day.
To prevent the re-development of peptic ulcer, 20 mg are prescribed once a day (at night).
Treatment of reflux esophagitis is carried out through the use of a drug in a dose of 20-40 mg twice a day. The duration of therapy is from one and a half to three months.
The drug "Famotidine" instruction for use allows children from three years of age to use it. The recommended dose is 2 milligrams per kilogram of weight (with a mass of more than ten kilograms) or 20 mg twice a day, but not more than 40 mg.
Among the side effects when taking Famotidine, the instructions for use note the development of acute pancreatitis, hepatitis, increased activity of liver enzymes, and appetite disorder. The drug can trigger flatulence, dry mouth, diarrhea, hyperemia, hallucinations. The negative effects also include psychosis, nervousness, depression, drowsiness, increased fatigue, and tinnitus. Probably the appearance of dizziness, insomnia. Side effects include atrioventricular block, arrhythmia, bradycardia, vasculitis, lowering pressure, bronchospasm, acne, dry skin, hypersensitivity reactions.
With prolonged use of the Famotidine medication, impotence is noted, the concentration of urea in the blood increases, libido decreases, joint, muscle pain, and fever occur.
special instructions
It is necessary to exclude the possibility of a patient having malignant tumors in the duodenum, esophagus or stomach before starting therapy, in connection with the ability of Famotidine to hide symptoms.
After eliminating the symptoms of the ulcer, it is recommended that treatment be continued until the scarring is confirmed by the results of an X-ray or endoscopic examination.
The drug "Famotidine" should be withdrawn gradually, in connection with the likelihood of developing a syndrome of "rebound".
Long-term treatment, as well as finding the patient under stress during therapy, can provoke bacterial lesions of the stomach with the subsequent spread of the infectious process.
In case of an overdose, there is a collapse, tachycardia, tremor, hypotension, motor agitation. It is necessary to rinse the stomach or provoke vomiting. Subsequently, symptomatic therapy is indicated.
The analogues of Famotidine include drugs such as Atodine, Acipep, Famocide, Gastrosidine and others.