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H2 ANTAGONISTS - a patient's guide
Editorial Team
TYPE/ BRAND NAME:
Cimetidine: Apo-Cimetidine, Duomet, Tagamet
Famotidine: Apo-Famotidine, Famox, Pepzan, Pepcidine
Nizatidine: Axid
Ranitidine: Zantac
USE: Histamine H2- receptor antagonist
H2- Antagonists are used for the treatment of stomach
and duodenal ulcers, heartburn, and other related conditions
which are a result of excess stomach acid production. They
can also be used in post-op surgery to prevent stress ulcers
in ill patients and in patients receiving NSAID (e.g. aspirin)
therapy.
These medicines work by controlling the production of
stomach acid via H2- receptor blockade, where they still
allow the stomach to produce the amount of acid for digestion,
but extra acid build-up that can cause problems (e.g. ulcers)
does not occur.
Cautions:
Gastric cancer (these drugs may mask early symptoms of
more serious disease)
Kidney impairment
Pregnancy and breastfeeding (discuss with doctor)
Side effects:
Occasional: headache, dizziness, diarrhoea, altered liver
function tests
Rarely: acute stomach pain, slow heartbeat, confusion,
depression, skin rash, blood disorders
Interactions:
Cimetidine is a potent enzyme inhibitor therefore should
be avoided with warfarin, phenytoin, theophylline, anti-arrhythmics,
antidepressants, opoid analgesics, and many other drugs.
Always check and discuss potential interactions with your
doctor.
Famotidine, nizatidine and ranitidine do not have these
interactions.
Patient information:
Follow instructions carefully on the label of this medicine
or as directed by your doctor.
Used for the treatment of stomach ulcers therefore it
should be taken regularly.
Avoid smoking and certain foods (talk to your pharmacist).
Food: Take with food if this medicine upsets your stomach
Alcohol: May aggravate stomach ulcers so best avoided
Contact your doctor or seek medical help if side effects
are severe or ongoing.
These medications should not be taken long term without
an accurate diagnosis of what is wrong - this may include
endoscopy to look at the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum.
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