Histamine H 2-receptor Antagonists (Systemic).

 
Some commonly used brand names are: 
In the U.S. -- 
     Axid(3) 
     Axid AR(3) 
     Fluxid(2) 
     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 150(4) 
     Zantac 300(4) 
     Zantac 25 EFFERdose Tablets(4) 
     Zantac 150 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) 

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 )(s.)

3.Nizatidine (ni-ZA-ti-deen)

4. Ranitidine (ra-NIT-ti-deen )(***)

(***)Generic name product may be available in the U.S.

(s.)Generic name product may be available in Canada

(*)Not commercially available in the U.S.

(**)Not commercially available in Canada

 
      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 
               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) 
Before Using This Medicine 

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For H ( 2)-blockers, the following should be considered:

 
Allergies -- 

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, or ranitidine.

 
Pregnancy -- 

H (2)-blockers have not been studied in …