H2 Receptor Blockers

Question 1

H2 Receptor Blockers: Action?

Answer 1

• Decrease HCl acid secretion, decrease conversion of pepsinogen to pepsin,
• Increases gastric mucous and bicarbonate production promotes ulcer healing

Question 2

H2 Receptor Blockers: Given to?

Answer 2

Patient with ulcers

Question 3

H2 Receptor Blockers: Naming Scheme?

Answer 3

• Names that end in “-idine”
• Examples - Ranitidine (Zantac), Famotidine (Pepcid), Nizatidine (Axid), Cimetidine (Tagamet)

Question 4

H2 Receptor Blockers: PT Teaching?

Answer 4

• Take once a day drug at bedtime, before or with food, tell the patient to continue taking the drug and that the ulcer may take up to 2 months to heal
• Regular CBC and liver function tests, BUN in patients with renal disease
• Refrain from drinking coffee, alcohol, and smoking

Question 5

H2 Receptor Blockers: SFX?

Answer 5

• Granulocytopenia (reduction in WBC granulocytes)
• Thrombocytopenia (low platelet level)
• Gynecomastia (overdevelopment or enlargement of the breast tissue in men or boys)
• Diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, rash
• Mental confusion in the older adult.

Question 6

H2 Receptor Blockers: Drug Interactions?

Answer 6

• Antacids: decreased absorption
• Probantheline: delayed absorption

Question 7

What labs should be checked periodically for a pt taking H2 Receptor Blockers?

Answer 7

• CBC
• LFT
• BUN