Nizatidine is the name given to an H2 receptor antagonist. The drug is used for the treatment and prophylaxis of gastric and duodenal ulcers.
What is nizatidine?
Nizatidine is used for the therapy and prophylaxis of gastric and duodenal ulcers. Nizatidine belongs to the drug group of H2 receptor antagonists. The active ingredient is used to treat acid-related diseases. These include gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, and esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus). In medicine, the active ingredient also bears the name Nizatidinum. Nizatidine was developed in the United States of America. The H2 receptor antagonist has been available there since 1992. In Germany and some other European countries, however, the drug is not available. Nizatidine is a thiazole derivative. It occurs as a crystalline whitish substance that dissolves in water. Its special properties include a slight sulfur odor and a bitter taste.
Pharmacological action
Nizatidine is an H2 receptor blocker. This means that the drug is able to reduce the production of stomach acid. In this way, it is possible to prevent diseases caused by the production of acid. In addition, nizatidine has an analgesic effect on stomach and duodenal ulcers or an inflamed esophagus. Nizatidine has the ability to influence H2 receptors. These are the cells of the stomach wall from which stomach acid is produced. By inhibiting the production of gastric acid, nizatidine causes a calming of the flow of mucus within the gastrointestinal tract. This effect effectively combats unpleasant symptoms such as acid regurgitation, stomach pain, abdominal pain as well as heartburn.
Medical use and application
The field of application of nizatidine is the therapy of gastric and duodenal ulcers. In this context, the drug can also be used for prevention. Nizatidine is also used to treat reflux symptoms in which stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the swallowing intestine. Nizatidine is administered in the form of film-coated tablets and capsules. The patient takes these after meals with a little liquid. It usually takes some time before the mucus flow within the gastrointestinal tract is established. Therefore, a longer intake of nizatidine is usually required. The H2 receptor antagonist is available in packs of 30 capsules. They contain 150 to 300 milligrams of nizatidine. The drug is prescribed by a physician. The recommended dose for acute ulcers is 300 milligrams initially, administered once a day. The duration of nizatidine therapy is usually between four to eight weeks. In some cases, the tablet can also be taken in doses of 150 mg each in the morning and evening. Otherwise, administration of the drug takes place before bedtime. To prevent duodenal ulcer, a dose of 150 milligrams is recommended to be taken in the evening hours. Sometimes nizatidine treatment lasts up to a year.
Risks and side effects
Taking nizatidine may cause unwanted side effects. However, these do not automatically occur in every patient. In most cases, affected individuals suffer from loss of strength, dizziness, headache, muscle pain, chest pain, inflammation of the throat lining, cough, rhinitis, and itching. In addition, unusual dreams may occur. Sometimes there is also water retention, which particularly affects the larynx, severe allergic reactions, nausea, fever, sweating, spasms in the bronchial muscles, changes in the blood count, and disturbed sexual behavior. In men, the mammary gland may enlarge, which physicians refer to as gynecomastia. In rare cases, accelerated heart rate and confusion also occur. After the end of nizatidine therapy, increased uric acid and creatinine levels and changes in testosterone concentration are often seen. If the patient suffers from hypersensitivity to nizatidine or other H2 receptor blockers, he or she must not take the preparation. The same applies to patients whose age is over 75 years or who have severe renal insufficiency. In addition, no malignant ulcers may be present, which again must be clarified before the start of therapy.If cardiac arrhythmias are present, nizatidine should be used with great caution. For example, the H2 receptor blocker can cause a slowing of the heartbeat. Caution is further advised in the presence of liver function limitations. Nizatidine should be taken during pregnancy only if the benefits to the patient outweigh the risks. The reason for this is insufficient knowledge about the active substance during this period. No adverse effects have been observed in animal studies to date. Nizatidine can pass into breast milk. Here, too, no harm to the child has been observed to date. Experience with the administration of nizatidine to children is not available. For this reason, the drug is not considered suitable for them. The simultaneous administration of nizatidine and other medicines sometimes leads to interactions. For example, the H2 receptor blocker interferes with the absorption of the antifungal drug ketoconazole. If nizatidine is taken together with higher doses of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), this increases the concentration of ASA. In addition, nizatidine may falsify the results of various urine tests.
