ABSTRACT
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.
