Healthopedia.com - Your Health
Encyclopedia

Set Homepage Email Page Favorites      

 
  Home
  Health Centers
  Medical Encyclopedia
  Drugs & Medications
  Diseases & Conditions 
  Medical Symptoms
  Medical Tests & Exams
  Surgery & Procedures 
  Injuries & Wounds
  Diet & Nutrition
  Special Topics
  Pictures & Images      


Google
 
Web Healthopedia.com

You are here : Healthopedia.com > Drugs & Medications > Detailed Drug Information (USP DI) > Histamine H 2-receptor Antagonists

Histamine H 2-receptor Antagonists (Systemic)

Description and Brand Names | Before Using | Proper Use | Precautions | Side Effects | Additional Information


Category
  • Histamine H 2 -receptor antagonist—Cimetidine; Famotidine; Nizatidine; Ranitidine
  • Antiulcer agent—Cimetidine; Famotidine; Nizatidine; Ranitidine
  • Gastric acid secretion inhibitor—Cimetidine; Famotidine; Nizatidine; Ranitidine
  • Urticaria therapy adjunct—Cimetidine
Description

Histamine H 2 -receptor antagonists, also known as H 2 -blockers, are used to treat duodenal ulcers and prevent their return. They are also used to treat gastric ulcers and for some conditions, such as Zollinger-Ellison disease, in which the stomach produces too much acid. In over-the-counter (OTC) strengths, these medicines are used to relieve and/or prevent heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach. H 2 -blockers may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

H 2 -blockers work by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach.

They are available in the following dosage forms:

    Oral
  • Cimetidine
    • Oral solution (U.S. and Canada)
    • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
  • Famotidine
    • Oral suspension (U.S.)
    • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
    • Chewable tablets (U.S. and Canada)
    • Oral disintegrating tablets (U.S.)
  • Nizatidine
    • Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
    • Tablets (U.S.)
  • Ranitidine
    • Effervescent granules (U.S.)
    • Syrup (U.S. and Canada)
    • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
    • Effervescent tablets (U.S.)
    Parenteral
  • Cimetidine
    • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
  • Famotidine
    • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
  • Ranitidine
    • Injection (U.S. and Canada)

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

  • Axid 3
  • Axid AR 3
  • Mylanta AR Acid Reducer 2
  • Pepcid 2
  • Pepcid I.V. 2
  • Pepcid AC Acid Controller 2
  • Pepcid RPD 2
  • Tagamet 1
  • Tagamet HB 1
  • Zantac 4
  • Zantac EFFERdose Granules 4
  • Zantac EFFERdose Tablets 4

In Canada—

  • Acid Control 2
  • Act 2
  • Apo-Cimetidine 1
  • Apo-Famotidine 2
  • Apo-Nizatidine 3
  • Apo-Ranitidine 4
  • Axid 3
  • Dyspep HB 2
  • Gen-Cimetidine 1
  • Gen-Famotidine 2
  • Gen-Ranitidine 4
  • Maalox H2 Acid Controller 2
  • Novo-Cimetine 1
  • Novo-Famotidine 2
  • Novo-Ranitidine 4
  • Nu-Cimet 1
  • Nu-Famotidine 2
  • Nu-Ranit 4
  • Pepcid 2
  • Pepcid AC 2
  • Pepcid I.V. 2
  • Peptol 1
  • PMS-Cimetidine 1
  • Tagamet 1
  • Ulcidine 2
  • Ulcidine-HB 2
  • Zantac 4
  • Zantac 75 4

Note:

For quick reference, the following histamine H 2-receptor antagonists are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.

This information applies to the following medicines:
1. Cimetidine (sye-MET-i-deen)‡§
2. Famotidine (fa-MOE-ti-deen)§
3. Nizatidine (ni-ZA-ti-deen)
4. Ranitidine (ra-NIT-ti-deen)‡
‡ Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
§ Generic name product may be available in Canada

   

Next section

   

Histamine H 2-receptor Antagonists: Before Using

Date Revised: 05/29/2001









Content provided by Thomson MICROMEDEX
Micromedex, Inc. Disclaimer
Copyright © 2006 Thomson MICROMEDEX. All rights reserved. USP DI® and Advice for the Patient® are registered trademarks of USP used under license to Micromedex, a business of Thomson Healthcare Inc. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

Copyright © 2006 Healthopedia.com All Rights reserved.
About Us | Help/FAQ | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy | Advertising Policy | Accessibility | Terms of Use
Contact Us | Link to Us

HONcode accreditation seal.

We comply with the HONcode standard for health trust worthy information: verify here.


The information provided herein is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. The information should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call your local emergency number for all medical emergencies. Use of this online service is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
Page Last Updated: 30th May, 2006