Famotidine 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). Famotidine is given to surgery patients before operations to prevent postoperative nausea and to reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonitis. Famotidine is also given to some patients taking NSAIDs, to prevent peptic ulcers. It serves as an alternative to proton-pump inhibitors. Famotidine has also been used in combination with an H1 antagonist to treat and prevent urticaria caused by an acute allergic reaction. Side-effects are associated with famotidine use. In clinical trials, the most common adverse effects were headache, dizziness, and constipation or diarrhea. Antacid preparations such as famotidine, by suppressing acid-mediated breakdown of proteins, lead to an elevated risk of developing food or drug allergies.
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