What is famotidine?

 FAMOTIDINE 

It is a histaminH-2 receptor antagonist with antacid activity. It is also known as Famotidinum, Famotidina, Brolin, Gastro, Antodine, Bentidine, Famocid, Famodar, Famodin, Famodine, Famonit, Famopsin, Famosan, Famotal, Famovane, Gastrodan, Gastridin, Gastrofam, Ingastri, Invigan, Mensoma, Medifam, Nevofam, Notidin, Panalba, Pepcidin, Pepdine, Quamatel, Purifam. It is white pale yellow crystalline compound. Famotidine is slightly solluble in water and partially solluble in alcohol. The moleculer weight and melting point of famotidine are 337.5gm/mol and 163.5⁰c. 

Structure-

The moleculer formula of famotidine is,

                                       [C8H15N7O2S3]

The IUPAC name of famotidine is,

                 N-(aminosulfonyl)-3-[[[2-[(diaminomethylene)amino]-4-thiazolyl] thio] propanimid amide .

Mechanism of action-

Excessive amount of stomach acid can damage the esophagus,stomach and duodenum and lead to inflammation and ulceration. To prevent the ulceration and inflammation famotidine is used ,it belongs to class of drugs called histamine-2 blockers ,that blocks the production of acid by acid producing cell in the stomach(parietal cell). H-2 blockers inhibit the action of histamine on the cells,thus reducing the production of acid.

Uses-

It is used to treat ulcer of the stomach and intestine and to prevent intetinal ulcers from coming back after they have heald.

Dosage-

The usual adult dose for duodenal ulcer is, 40mg orally once a day at bed time or 20mg orally two times a day. The maintainance dose is 20mg orally once a day. The duration of therapy is 4 weeks. Treatment is continued 6to8 weeks, no safety data for the treatment of uncomplicated active duodonal ulcer beyond 8 weeks.

The usual adult dose for peptic ulcer is, 40mg orally once a day at bed time or 20mg orally two times a day. The maintainance dose is 20mg orally once a day. The duration of therapy is 4 weeks. The perantal dose is 20mg intravenously every 12 hours.

The usual adult dose for gastric ulcer is,40mg orally once a day at bed time or 20mg orally two times a day. The maintainance dose is 20mg orally once a day. The duration of therapy is 6 weeks.The perantal dose is 20mg intravenously every 12 hours.

Side-effects-

The major Side-effects of famotidine are, 

• Constipation.
• Headache. 
• Diarrhea.
• Fatigue. 
• Weakness.
• Mood changes.
• Insomnia. 
• Muscle pain.
• Joint pain.
• Drymouth.
• Nausea and vomiting.  

       ..........THE END..........