Famotidine

Famotidine: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Histamine (H2) receptor antagonist inhibiting gastric acid secretion induced by histamine.
• It is significantly more efficacious than cimetidine.
• Its oral bioavailability is only 37%.
• It has no antiemetic properties.

Uses of Famotidine

• The treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers, idiopathic, uraemic, or drug-induced erosive gastritis, oesophagitis, and hypersecretory conditions secondary to gastrinoma, mast cell neoplasia, or short bowel syndrome.

Dose of Famotidine in Dogs and Cats

Dogs, Cats:

• All uses: 0.5–1.0 mg/kg p.o. q12–24h.

Side Effects of Famotidine in Dogs and Cats

• Good safety profile.
• In humans, famotidine has fewer side effects than cimetidine.

Contraindications of Famotidine in Dogs and Cats

• No information is available.

Some Notes:

• Famotidine is devoid of many of the interactions of the H2-related antagonist cimetidine.
• Cimetidine is the sole veterinary-approved ulcer medication.
• Compared to omeprazole, famotidine increased intragastric pH in healthy dogs, but not enough to imply therapeutic benefit for humans with acid-related illness.
• Omeprazole prevented exertion-induced gastritis in racing sled dogs better than famotidine.
• Famotidine raises serum gastrin in dogs, but it returns to baseline after 14 days.
• Studies in dogs and cats showed a decreasing effect on stomach pH when given daily.
• Pantoprazole alone was better than combination therapy.