Famotidine

Question 1

What is the brand/trade name for famotidine?

Answer 1

• Pepcid

_{Anesthesia Guidebook - Episode 19: Anesthesia Top Drawer Run Down - Part 3
UpToDate - Famotidine: Drug Information}

Question 2

What is the pharmacologic category/class of famotidine?

Answer 2

• Histamine H₂ receptor antagonist

_{Anesthesia Guidebook - Episode 19: Anesthesia Top Drawer Run Down - Part 3
UpToDate - Famotidine: Drug Information}

Question 3

What is the mechanism of action of famotidine?

Answer 3

• competitive inhibition of histamine at H2 receptors of gastric parietal cells → decreases gastric acid secretion

maybe also decreases gastric volume?

_{Anesthesia Guidebook - Episode 19: Anesthesia Top Drawer Run Down - Part 3
UpToDate - Famotidine: Drug Information}

Question 4

What is the dose of famotidine given for aspiration prophylaxis?

Answer 4

• 20 mg, ideally at least 30 minutes before induction

no additional benefit of higher dose (40 mg)

_{Anesthesia Guidebook - Episode 19: Anesthesia Top Drawer Run Down - Part 3
UpToDate - Famotidine: Drug Information}

Question 5

What is the duration of action for famotidine?

Answer 5

• 10-12 hours

_{Anesthesia Guidebook - Episode 19: Anesthesia Top Drawer Run Down - Part 3
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