Use of famotidine in adult patients with end-stage renal disease: assessment of dosing and mental status changes.
BACKGROUND
Famotidine dosage adjustment is required in patients with chronic kidney disease. Since recommendations on the degree of famotidine dose reduction vary between references, a chart review was conducted to evaluate the tolerability of varying famotidine doses in adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).


METHODS
An assessment was made of famotidine doses prescribed to patients with ESRD over a 7-year period in a university hospital. Patient medical records were reviewed for evidence of mental status changes associated with famotidine.


RESULTS
In 38 patients who met study criteria, 35 had no evidence of mental status change while receiving famotidine therapy. Among these 35 patients, the mean dose of famotidine was 24 mg/daily for 5.5 days. Three patients had mental status changes possibly associated with famotidine therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, most ESRD patients seemed to tolerate famotidine 20 mg daily well, but larger prospective studies need to be done before final recommendations can be made. A small percentage of patients may require further dose reduction to minimize risk of mental status change.
Redmond
Amy M
AM
Department of Pharmacy, St. Francis Hospital, and the College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, USA.
Pentapaty
Neelima
N
Weibel
Jamie
J
Nolan
Shambria F
SF
Hudson
Joanna Q
JQ
Self
Timothy
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015738:Famotidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D015738:Famotidine