Table 1.
Pharmacological properties of histamine 2 receptor antagonists.
| Drug | Available strengths (mg) | Standard daily dose (mg) | Onset of action in h (oral) | Time to peak level (h) | Half-life (h) | Duration of action (h) | Oral bioavailability (%) | Protein binding (%) | Excretion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cimetidine | 200 300 400 800 |
400 twice daily 800 at bedtime |
1–3 | 1–3 | 2.5–3.5 | 10–12 | 50 | 15–20 | Urinary |
| Ranitidine | 150 300 |
150 twice daily 300 at bedtime |
1 | 2–3 | 3 | 13 | 50 | 15–19 | Urinary |
| Famotidine | 20 40 |
20 twice daily 40 at bedtime |
1–3 | 1–3 | 2.5–3.5 | 10–12 | 40–60 | 15–20 | Urinary |
| Nizatidine | 150 300 |
150 twice daily 300 at bedtime |
1 | 0.5–3 | 1–2 | 10 | >70 | 35 | Urinary |