Efficacy and Tolerability of Famotidine in Preventing Heartburn and Related Symptoms of Upper Gastrointestinal Discomfort.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, four-way crossover trial was designed to compare the efficacy of famotidine and placebo in preventing meal-provoked upper gastrointestinal symptoms. One hundred twenty-one subjects (58 men and 63 women), aged 20--61 years, were randomly assigned to one of four treatment sequences which included single oral doses of placebo, famotidine 5 mg, famotidine 10 mg, and famotidine 20 mg, spaced approximately 7 days apart. To be eligible for randomization, subjects had to have at least a 2-month history of heartburn and acid/sour stomach occurring at least three times per week. Treatment was administered 1 h prior to ingestion of test meals (chili and wine). Rescue antacid medication (Maalox((R))) was available for subjects who required additional relief. Heartburn severity. acid/sour stomach, and overall discomfort were evaluated on a six-point scale immediately prior to each test meal and every 15 min thereafter for 5 h. A global evaluation of the test medication, using a five-point scale, was performed prior to rescue medication use or at the end of each treatment session. Heartburn and peak acid/sour stomach were rated as significantly milder following prophylactic treatment with famotidine 5, 10, and 20 mg compared to placebo. Treatment with all three doses of famotidine was rated as "good" or "excellent" by significantly more subjects (58--63%) than following treatment with placebo (38%). In addition, rescue medication was used by significantly fewer subjects following famotidine (17--18%) compared to placebo (37%). Famotidine was generally well tolerated in this trial, with type and frequency of reported adverse experiences similar to that observed following placebo. These results indicated that famotidine doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg were significantly more effective than placebo in preventing symptoms of upper gastrointestinal distress when administered 1 h in advance of meal provocation.