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Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Famotidine in Paediatric Patients

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Summary

Famotidine, an H2 receptor antagonist, has several potential advantages over cimetidine and ranitidine. These advantages include its potency, relatively longer elimination half-life, and lack of interaction with the cytochrome P450 isoforms.

Eight studies addressing the use of famotidine in paediatric patients have been published. Data from these studies demonstrate that the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous famotidine appear to be similar in both children over the age of 1 year and adults. These data support a starting paediatric dosage for intravenous famotidine of 0.5 mg/kg every 8 to 12 hours.

In addition, the safety and efficacy of famotidine in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease and esophagitis in paediatric patients is supported by these studies involving over 150 children.

Future studies with famotidine in paediatrics should address its disposition in children under the age of 1 year and in children with compromised renal function, as well as the bioavailability of the oral formulation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

    Laura P. James

  2. Division of Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, 800 Marshall Street, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72202, USA

    Laura P. James

  3. Section on Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology, The Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

    Gregory L. Kearns

Authors
  1. Laura P. James
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  2. Gregory L. Kearns
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James, L.P., Kearns, G.L. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Famotidine in Paediatric Patients. Clin-Pharmacokinet 31, 103–110 (1996). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003088-199631020-00002

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00003088-199631020-00002

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