[The status of H2-blocker therapy today]

In the light of recent findings the therapeutic importance of various H2-blockers (e.g. cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine) in short-term and long-term treatment of peptic ulcers is discussed. Special interest is paid to the clinical pharmacology (pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics) and undesired effects of the compounds. New aspects in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease were considered, with regard to the pharmacologic profile of H2-blocker.