What are the efficacy and effects of famotidine?

Generally, the effects and functions of famotidine include inhibiting gastric acid secretion, protecting gastrointestinal mucosa, stopping bleeding, promoting digestion, and anti-infection. The specific details are as follows:

1. Inhibiting Gastric Acid Secretion

Famotidine is a histamine H2 receptor antagonist that can significantly suppress basal gastric acid secretion as well as nocturnal gastric acid secretion induced by food and other factors.

2. Protecting Gastrointestinal Mucosa

Famotidine reduces pepsin secretion and inhibits hydrochloric acid secretion from gastric mucosal parietal cells, preventing gastric acid from irritating the gastric mucosa, thereby protecting the gastric mucosa.

3. Stopping Bleeding

As an anti-acid medication, famotidine increases the pH level in the stomach, facilitating the formation of stable blood clots at bleeding sites, thus achieving a hemostatic effect.

4. Promoting Digestion

Famotidine helps convert pepsinogen into pepsin, thereby stimulating pancreatic secretion of digestive enzymes and enhancing food digestion and absorption. It is commonly used to treat digestive disorders.

5. Anti-infection

Famotidine can inhibit bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, effectively treating bacterial infections of the digestive system. It is typically used for treating conditions such as duodenal ulcers and stress ulcers.

If you intend to use famotidine, it is recommended to do so under medical supervision. Avoid self-medication to prevent possible adverse effects such as dry mouth, dizziness, insomnia, constipation, and other discomforts.