Know your drug
A commonly recognized brand name for famotidine.
What is Pepcid
Famotidine blocks this receptor.
What is the histamine H₂ receptor?
This is a typical adult prescription dose for symptomatic nonerosive GERD.
What is 20 mg orally twice daily?
Headache, dizziness, constipation, and diarrhea are examples of these.
What are potential adverse effects of famotidine?
Besides therapeutic response, this is one of the most important parameters to monitor when prescribing famotidine to an older adult.
What is renal function?
Famotidine belongs to this pharmacological class.
What is a histamine-2 (H₂) receptor antagonist?
These stomach cells contain the H₂ receptors targeted by famotidine.
What are gastric parietal cells?
Before prescribing famotidine, the NP should pay particular attention to the function of this organ.
What are the kidneys?
An older patient with renal impairment develops new confusion after starting famotidine. The NP should consider this type of adverse reaction.
What is a CNS adverse effect?
Famotidine raises gastric pH. This can alter the absorption of certain medications that require this type of environment for absorption.
What is an acidic gastric environment?
Name two conditions for which famotidine may be prescribed.
What are GERD and gastric/duodenal ulcers?
Blocking H₂ receptors produces this primary therapeutic effect.
What is decreased gastric acid secretion?
A patient has a creatinine clearance of 25 mL/min. Continue the usual famotidine dose: True or False?
What is false?
This potentially serious cardiac electrical abnormality is a concern, particularly when famotidine accumulates in patients with renal impairment.
What is QT prolongation?
Your patient says, “My heartburn is worse today, so I'll just double my famotidine.” What is the best NP teaching?
What is “Do not increase or double the dose without discussing it with your healthcare provider”?
A patient has frequent acid reflux and asks whether famotidine is an antacid that simply neutralizes acid already in the stomach. Your response?
What is no—famotidine decreases gastric acid secretion rather than simply neutralizing existing acid?
Complete the sequence:
Famotidine → H₂ receptor blockade → ______ → improvement in acid-related symptoms.
What is decreased gastric acid secretion?
78-year-old patient has chronic kidney disease and needs famotidine. What should influence your dosing decision?
What is renal function/creatinine clearance?
A patient taking famotidine develops facial swelling, difficulty breathing, and throat tightness. What should the NP suspect?
What is a serious hypersensitivity reaction/angioedema?
Name three major things the NP should consider before prescribing famotidine.
What are: