Famotidine vs omeprazole
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Comparative Analysis of Famotidine vs. Omeprazole
Introduction to Famotidine and Omeprazole
Famotidine and omeprazole are commonly used medications for treating acid-related disorders. Famotidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA), while omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Both drugs are used to reduce stomach acid production but work through different mechanisms.
Efficacy in Duodenal Ulcer Healing
Healing Rates and Pain Relief
Several studies have compared the efficacy of famotidine and omeprazole in the treatment of duodenal ulcers. Omeprazole has been shown to have higher healing rates compared to famotidine. In a study involving 60 patients, omeprazole achieved a 77% healing rate after 2 weeks and 93% after 4 weeks, compared to 40% and 80% for famotidine, respectively . Another study with 241 patients reported similar findings, with omeprazole showing superior healing rates at 2, 4, and 6 weeks . Additionally, omeprazole provided more rapid pain relief and reduced the need for antacids .
Impact on Intragastric pH
Acid Suppression
Omeprazole has been found to be more effective than famotidine in increasing intragastric pH. In a study with healthy dogs, omeprazole significantly increased the percentage of time that intragastric pH was ≥3 and ≥4 compared to famotidine . Similarly, in a study involving healthy male subjects, intravenous famotidine increased intragastric pH more rapidly than intravenous omeprazole, but omeprazole provided longer-lasting acid suppression .
Prevention of Gastrointestinal Injuries
Exercise-Induced Gastritis in Dogs
In the context of preventing exercise-induced gastritis in racing dogs, omeprazole was found to be more effective than high-dose famotidine. Omeprazole significantly decreased the severity and prevalence of gastric lesions compared to famotidine .
Gastroduodenal Injury in Low-Dose Aspirin Users
For high-risk users of low-dose aspirin, omeprazole was superior to famotidine in preventing gastroduodenal mucosal breaks. A study with 170 patients showed that the incidence of mucosal breaks was significantly lower in the omeprazole group compared to the famotidine group .
Gastrointestinal Adverse Events
Dogs with Cancer Treated with Piroxicam
In a study assessing the impact of prophylactic omeprazole and famotidine on gastrointestinal adverse events (AEs) in dogs with cancer treated with piroxicam, both drugs were associated with a higher incidence of GI AEs compared to placebo. However, the severity of GI AEs was higher in the omeprazole group .
Influence on Antiplatelet Therapy
Platelet Reactivity in Acute Coronary Syndromes
In patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) receiving clopidogrel and aspirin, there was no significant difference in platelet reactivity between those treated with omeprazole and those treated with famotidine. Both drugs had similar cumulative rates of adverse cardiovascular events at 12 months .
Conclusion
Overall, omeprazole appears to be more effective than famotidine in several clinical scenarios, including the healing of duodenal ulcers, increasing intragastric pH, and preventing gastroduodenal injuries in high-risk patients. However, omeprazole may be associated with more severe gastrointestinal adverse events in certain contexts. The choice between these medications should be based on the specific clinical situation and patient needs.
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