Author/Editor		Ivanuša, M
Title		Farmakologija famotidina
Translated title		Pharmacology of famotidine
Type		članek
Source		Krka Med Farm
Vol. and No.		Letnik 15, št. Suppl 1
Publication year		1994
Volume		str. 47-54
Language		slo
Abstract		Famotidine is a highly selective histamine H2-receptor inhibitor. It achieves its inhibitory effect on hydrochloric acid secretion by binding to H2-receptors on the parietal cell. In healthy persons as well as in patients with gastric acid hypersecretion the inhibitory effect of famotidine on the secretion of gastric acid is twenty to fifly times that of cimetidine and eight times that of ranitidine. The absorption of famotidine is incomplete. The bioavailability is less than 50 percent. Following oral application peak serum levels of famotidine are achieved within one to three hours. After ingestion of a 40-mg-tablet effective therapeutical levels of famotidine are maintained for more than 12 hours, what may be seen as an important difference compared to cimetidine and ranitidine. The portion of the absorbed drug bound to plasma proteins is negligible. A small portion of famotidine undergoes liver metabolism resulting in the formation of a pharmacologically inactive metabolite (S-oxide). The greatest portion of the drug is excreted by the renal pathway. Since famotidine does not interfere with the hepatic oxidase system it does not induce metabolic interactions with other drugs. Famotidine is used in the treatment of duodenal and gastric ulcer disease, reflux esophagitis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and other conditions requiring a reduction in gastric acid secretion. The most commonly reported side effects include headache, diarrhea and fatigue.
Descriptors		FAMOTIDINE PEPTIC ULCER