Famotidine in the Treatment of Gastritis

Abstract

H₂-receptor antagonists are widely used in the treatment of diseases such as gastric and duodenal ulcers, hemorrhage of the upper digestive tract, and the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. However, the usefulness of H₂-receptor antagonists in treating erosions and/or mucosal hemorrhages has not been established. A multicenter, double-blind, comparative trial was conducted to determine the effects of famotidine, a new H₂-receptor antagonist, for such lesions. Patients received one of three oral doses (5, 10, or 20 mg) of famotidine twice daily for 2 weeks. The comparative efficacy and safety of the three dosages of famotidine in the treatment of lesions were evaluated, using an assessment of subjective symptoms, endoscopic findings, and adverse reactions. Symptoms, including epigastric pain, heartburn, and discomfort, were relieved in a substantial number of patients as early as 3 days after beginning treatment with famotidine. Moreover, less than 30% of patients complained of these symptoms after 2 weeks of famotidine therapy. There were no significant differences among the three dosages in relief of symptoms. Endoscopic assessment for the presence of erosion and hemorrhage after 1 and 2 weeks of famotidine treatment showed that the 10- and 20-mg doses were more effective in healing erosions and hemorrhages than was the 5-mg dose. After 2 weeks of treatment, 88.5% and 91.7% of the patients in the 10- and 20-mg dosage groups, respectively, did not have evidence of erosions or hemorrhages, compared with 73% of patients in the 5-mg group. No adverse reactions occurred during treatment. The results of this study suggest that famotidine, 10 or 20 mg twice daily, is effective in the treatment of acute gastric erosions and mucosal hemorrhages.

Key Words:

• Efficacy
• endoscopy
• erosion
• famotidine
• gastritis
• hemorrhage
• safety