Proper Administration of Famotidine 20 mg: A Nurse’s Guide

Administering famotidine 20 mg, a medication essential for treating and preventing stomach and intestinal ulcers, requires careful preparation and adherence to guidelines. Proper administration ensures the medication’s effectiveness and minimizes potential side effects, ultimately supporting patient health and recovery.

Medication Overview

Pharmacological Properties of Famotidine 20 mg:

• Mechanism of Action: Famotidine is a competitive inhibitor of histamine H2 receptors. It works by reducing the volume, acidity, and pepsin content of gastric secretions.
• Absorption and Metabolism: Famotidine is well-absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and undergoes minimal first-pass metabolism. It has a bioavailability of 40-45%.
• Half-life: The elimination half-life of famotidine is approximately 2.5-3.5 hours.
• Excretion: It is primarily excreted unchanged in the urine.

Therapeutic Uses of Famotidine 20 mg:

• Ulcer Treatment: Used to treat and prevent ulcers in the stomach and intestines.
• GERD: Effective in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by reducing acid reflux.
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: Used to manage conditions where the stomach produces too much acid.
• Heartburn Relief: Over-the-counter famotidine is used to relieve heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach.

Preparation Steps

Sure, here are the steps for preparing and administering 20 mg of famotidine:

1. Dosage Calculation:

   • Confirm the prescribed dose is 20 mg.

2. Equipment Preparation:

   • Gather the necessary equipment:
     • Famotidine vial (20 mg/2 mL)
     • Syringe (5-10 mL)
     • Sodium chloride 0.9% for dilution
     • Alcohol swabs
     • Gloves

3. Preparation Steps:

   • Step 1: Wash hands thoroughly and wear gloves.
   • Step 2: Clean the top of the famotidine vial with an alcohol swab.
   • Step 3: Draw 2 mL of famotidine (20 mg) into the syringe.
   • Step 4: Dilute the 2 mL of famotidine with 5-10 mL of sodium chloride 0.9%.

4. Administration:

   • Step 5: Administer the diluted solution intravenously over at least 2 minutes.

5. Post-Administration:

   • Step 6: Dispose of used equipment properly.
   • Step 7: Monitor the patient for any adverse reactions.

Administration Procedure

Administration of Famotidine 20 mg

Oral Administration

1. Preparation: Ensure the correct dosage form (tablet, chewable tablet, or liquid).
2. Method:
   • Tablets and chewable tablets can be taken with or without food.
   • Liquid form should be measured accurately using a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup.
3. Procedure: Administer the medication as prescribed, typically once or twice daily, depending on the condition being treated.
4. Monitoring: Observe for potential side effects such as headache, dizziness, constipation, or diarrhea.

Intravenous Administration

1. Preparation: Ensure the correct dosage and dilution as per the healthcare provider’s instructions.
2. Method:
   • Famotidine is given as an infusion into a vein.
   • A healthcare provider will administer the injection if the patient cannot take the medication orally.
3. Procedure: Administer the infusion slowly over the recommended time frame.
4. Monitoring: Watch for side effects such as injection site reactions, headache, dizziness, or changes in heart rate.

Potential Side Effects

• Common: Headache, dizziness, constipation, diarrhea.
• Serious: Allergic reactions, severe dizziness, irregular heartbeat.

Always follow the healthcare provider’s instructions and report any unusual symptoms immediately.

Safety Considerations

When preparing to administer famotidine 20 mg, a nurse should:

1. Check for Allergies: Ensure the patient is not allergic to famotidine or similar medications like ranitidine, cimetidine, or nizatidine.
2. Review Contraindications: Assess for conditions such as kidney or liver disease, stomach cancer, or a history of Long QT syndrome.
3. Evaluate Potential Drug Interactions: Verify that famotidine does not interact adversely with other medications the patient is taking.

These steps are crucial to ensure patient safety and the effective use of famotidine.

Administering Famotidine 20 mg: A Guide

Administering famotidine 20 mg requires careful preparation and adherence to guidelines, ensuring the medication’s effectiveness and minimizing potential side effects.

A nurse should check for allergies, review contraindications, and evaluate potential drug interactions before administering the medication.

Proper Administration:

• Dilute the medication with sodium chloride 0.9%.
• Administer it intravenously over at least 2 minutes.

Oral Administration:

• Take the correct dosage form.
• With or without food, as directed by a healthcare provider.

Intravenous Administration:

• Requires a healthcare provider’s supervision.

Potential Side Effects:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Allergic reactions
• Severe dizziness
• Irregular heartbeat