LOW-DOSE FAMOTIDINE IN THE PREVENTION OF SLEEP DISTURBANCE CAUSED BY HEARTBURN AFTER AN EVENING MEAL

Aim: To determine whether, in a susceptible population, dosing with 10 mg famotidine 1 h before an evening meal could decrease the interfere nce with sleep caused by heartburn, Methods: Patients with a history o f frequent heartburn (n = 309) were randomized to receive 10 mg famoti dine or placebo 1 h before an evening meal likely to induce symptoms, Patients assessed the efficacy of the treatment in preventing heartbur n after the meal, at bedtime and during the night, The number of awake nings due to heartburn and the consumption of antacid tablets taken to alleviate symptoms were also recorded. Results: Treatment groups were well matched and data from 302 patients were available for analysis, Compared to placebo, famotidine treated patients had: less heartburn a fter the meal (P < 0.0001 mean global scores), less interference with getting to sleep (P = 0.0156 mean global scores), fewer awakenings (P = 0.0001 difference in mean number) and better control of heartburn du ring the night (P < 0.0001 mean global scores). They were also almost three times less likely to need antacid treatment than the placebo gro up during the night (relative odds for no antacid 2.78 (95% CI: 1.29-5 .96), Only four patients in each group suffered adverse events, Conclu sion: Taking a 10 mg dose of famotidine 1 h before an evening meal app ears to be a successful and well tolerated strategy for preventing pos t-prandial heartburn and avoiding the associated interference with sle ep.