This class of medication will usually go by the more commercially known names of Pepcid, Axid, Tagament, and Zantac to name a few. The clinical names are Cimetidine, Ranitidine, Famotidine, and Nizatidine. These drugs selectively bind together, but do not activate the histamine H2 receptors. Their main effect is to stop or slow the secretion of gastric acid. There have been strong effects noted in the central nervous system as well, but those effects are being studied further since they are not fully understood yet. The first of these medications to be put onto the market was Cimetidine, then Ranitidine, and followed by Famotidine and Nizatidine.
Some of the more common uses of these drugs are preventative measures to ailments such as the recurrence of duodenal ulcers, which occur in the first part of the small intestine; stomach or gastric ulcers; or to increased acid secretion as with Zollinger Ellison Syndrome. They are also used to treat the erosive effects of Acid Reflux Disease where stomach acid backs up into the food pipe, causing heartburn. Some over-the-counter uses are the treatment or prevention of heartburn, acid indigestion and sour stomach.
While medicines are usually approved to be marketed for specific uses, there are many times the same medicine is found to be useful in treating other problems as well. Such has been the case with H2 blockers. Although not printed out on the packaging label, these medications can be used in various patients who suffer from damage to the stomach or to the intestines because of stress or trauma. There is also the possible treatment of Hives and Pancreatic problems. These medications may also work to treat ulcers in the stomach caused from damage to patients when they are using medication to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
As with all medications, there are some adverse reactions when taking H2 blockers. Generally, these medications can be tolerated well, except for one which is Cimetidine. This one type can cause infrequent symptoms such as headaches, tiredness, dizziness and other mild effects which can be reversed once treatment is stopped. The only risk common to all H2 blockers is a possible risk of mental decline later in life after long-term use. This effect is still being studied.
While the treatment of gastric ulcers and related ailments has been moved forward by decades of steady research; there are still many questions which need answered, or answers that need further study. It is always advisable to keep in contact with your doctor when using H2 blockers, or any medication, so as to keep up with new developments or treatments using that medication.
