Safety profile of H2-receptor antagonists: current status of famotidine

An assessment of the adverse reactions associated with H2-receptor blockers is presented, with particular emphasis towards famotidine. Post-marketing studies on the H2-receptor blockers have shown that they have a low incidence of adverse reactions (1-2% of patients) and are very effective in the treatment of peptic ulcers. The most common adverse reactions are gastro-intestinal, although central nervous system, cardiovascular, haematological, endocrine and hepatic disturbances may occur. Drug interactions and the considerable amount of post-marketing surveillance data, spanning over a decade of use, are also assessed.