What is an antagonist of a histamine receptor?
Histamine receptor antagonist, more often referred to as H2 receptor antagonist, is a drug class that blocks histamine in the stomach. It works indirectly reduces the production of stomach acid secreted by parietal cells in the stomach lining. It is most commonly used for gastrointestinal problems such as peptic diseases of ulcers and gastroezophogeal reflux disease (GERD). Histamine then binds to parietal cells in specialized areas of the receptor called H2 receptor. This bond stimulates acid secretion in the stomach. Normally stomach acid, called stomach acid, helps to break down food particles. If excessive stomach acid occurs, damage in the stomach and esophagus may occur, as is the case with GERD. The antagonist of the histamine receptor is bound to the H2 receptor on the parietal cells, and this in turn blocks histamine from the binding of the parietal cell. As a result, parietal cells are not stimulated and produce less stomach acids. AntagonisThe histamine receptor only partially reduce stomach acid, usually about 50-80%.
There are several conditions for which an antagonist of a histamine receptor is used. The most common problem is dyspepsia, usually referred to as digestion or stomach. They can also be used in cases of peptic diseases of ulcers, stress and gerd ulcers, which are commonly referred to as heartburn. The effects usually last for six to ten hours, giving them an advantage over antacides that last only one to two hours.
Available forms of histamine receptor antagonists are famotidine, cimetidine, ranitidine and Nizatidin. The first created, cimetidine, was created in the mid -sixties Smith, Kine & French, now known as GlaxosmithKline. It was first sold in 1976 under the Tagamet® brand. All of them are available to an over -the -counter, which means without a prescription.
Most side effects AntThe histamine receptor agonists are unusual and usually mild. The side effects on cimetidine are relatively rare, but there may be interactions with other drugs. Ranitidine and Nizatidin may also have interactions, but they are less common than cimetidine. Even if they are available at an over -the -counter, it is always advisable to check with a doctor when taking other medicines to avoid side effects.
Although antagonists of histamine receptor are still used, proton pump inhibitors were largely overtaken in popularity. Proton pump inhibitors operate by blocking the gastric acid production and are more effective and have fewer side effects. Both are more effective than antacides that dissolve only acid that is currently in the stomach.