Hemodynamic effects of intravenous famotidine in critically ill patients.
OBJECTIVE
To study the hemodynamic effects of famotidine administered undiluted intravenously over 2 minutes.


METHODS
Nonblinded, nonrandomized.


METHODS
Medical/surgical intensive care unit in a university-affiliated, tertiary care, teaching hospital.


METHODS
Eleven consecutive critically ill patients receiving famotidine for stress ulcer prophylaxis. Seven of these patients were also receiving vasopressors or inotropes.


METHODS
Famotidine 20 mg/2 ml was administered intravenously undiluted through a peripheral line over 2 minutes. All other medications, including vasopressors and inotropes, were held constant.


RESULTS
No clinically important (> 20 variations from baseline) or statistically significant (p < 0.05) changes were seen in heart rate, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, cardiac output, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, systemic vascular resistance, or central venous pressure. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was elevated at 8 minutes following famotidine (91.2 mm Hg [22.4 SD]) versus baseline (86.7 mm Hg [19.6 SD]). Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) was elevated at 8 minutes (17.2 mm Hg [6 SD]), 12 minutes (17.9 mm Hg [5.68 SD]), and 16 minutes (17.8 mm Hg [6.08 SD]), versus baseline (14.8 mm Hg [7.14 SD]). These changes in MAP and PCWP achieved statistical significance, but were not thought to be of clinical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
Famotidine given undiluted intravenously over 2 minutes produced no adverse hemodynamic effects in critically ill patients. Administration in this manner should be safe even in patients requiring supportive cardiovascular drug therapy.
Lipsy
R J
RJ
Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA.
Freeman
C D
CD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects; D003422:Critical Care; D016638:Critical Illness; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015738:Famotidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
D015738:Famotidine