Famotidine

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Famotidine
Systematic (IUPAC) name
3-([2-(diaminomethyleneamino)thiazol-4-yl]methylthio)-N'-sulfamoylpropanimidamide
Identifiers
CAS number 76824-35-6
ATC code A02BA03
PubChem 3325
DrugBank APRD00296
ChemSpider 3208
Chemical data
Formula C8H15N7O2S3 
Mol. mass 337.449 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 20–66%
Protein binding 10–28%
Metabolism hepatic-less than 30%
Half life 2.5–4 hours (clinical half-life 8–12 hours)
Excretion Principally excreted unchanged in urine
Therapeutic considerations
Licence data

US FDA:link

Pregnancy cat.

B1 (Au), B (U.S.)

Legal status

S3/S4 (Au), POM/OTC (UK),
OTC/℞-only (U.S.)

Routes Oral, IV

Famotidine (INN) (pronounced /fəˈmɒtɪdiːn/) is a histamine H2-receptor antagonist that inhibits stomach acid production, and it is commonly used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD/GORD). It is commonly marketed by Johnson & Johnson/Merck under the trade names Pepcidine and Pepcid. Unlike cimetidine, the first H2 antagonist, famotidine has no effect on the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, and does not appear to interact with other drugs.[1]

Contents

[edit] History and development

Famotidine was developed by Merck & Co. and is marketed by a joint venture between Merck and Johnson & Johnson. The imidazole-ring of cimetidine was replaced with a 2-guanidinothiazole ring. Famotidine proved to be 30 times more active than cimetidine.[citation needed]

It was first marketed in 1985. Pepcid RPD orally-disintegrating tablets (that are not swallowed) were released in 1999. Generic preparations became available in 2001, e.g. Fluxid (Schwarz) or Quamatel (Gedeon Richter Ltd.).

In the United States, a product called Pepcid Complete is available that combines famotidine with an antacid in a chewable tablet to ameliorate the relatively slow onset of effects. In the UK, this product is known as Pepcidtwo.

Famotidine suffers from poor bioavailability (50%), as famotidine is poorly soluble in acid pH e.g. stomach. Famotidine used in combination with antacids promotes local delivery of these drugs to the receptor of the parietal cell wall. Therefore researchers are developing innovative formulations of tablets, such gastroretentive drug delivery systems. Such tablets are retained in the stomach for a longer period of time and thereby improve the bioavailability of drugs. Local delivery also increases bioavailability at the stomach wall receptor site and increases the efficacy of drugs to reduce acid secretion.[2]

[edit] Clinical use

Certain preparations of famotidine are available over the counter (OTC) in various countries. In the United States, preparations of 10 mg and 20 mg tablets, sometimes in combination with a more traditional antacid, are available OTC. Larger doses still require a prescription.

Famotidine is given to surgery patients before operations to prevent post-operation nausea and to reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonitis.

[edit] Adverse effects

Few adverse drug reactions are associated with famotidine use. In clinical trials, the most common adverse effects were headache, dizziness, and constipation or diarrhea.[3]

[edit] References


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