PHARMACOKINETICS AND PHARMACODYNAMICS OF FAMOTIDINE IN PEDIATRIC-PATIENTS

Famotidine, an H-2 receptor antagonist, has several potential advantag es over cimetidine and ranitidine. These advantages include its potenc y, relatively longer elimination half-life, and lack of interaction wi th the cytochrome P450 isoforms. Eight studies addressing the use of f amotidine 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 dos age for intravenous famotidine of 0.5 mg/kg every 8 to 12 hours. In ad dition, the safety and efficacy of famotidine in the treatment of pept ic ulcer disease and esophagitis in paediatric patients is supported b y these studies involving over 150 children. Future studies with famot idine 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.