Famotidine in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Famotidine, a potent and long-acting H2-receptor antagonist, has been evaluated in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). From intraesophageal pH monitoring and clinical studies, b.i.d. dosing of this selective compound is necessary for achieving adequate results. The results of large double-blind trials performed in patients with erosive reflux esophagitis compare favorably with those reported using cimetidine and ranitidine. Famotidine appeared to be effective in ranitidine-resistant patients with severe GERD, and achieved healing rates superior to ranitidine in a comparative trial. Recent data also show that long-term treatment with famotidine seems to be effective in preventing recurrence in most patients with healed reflux esophagitis. Famotidine is a very useful H2-receptor antagonist for the treatment of most patients with GERD.