H2 Blockers

H2 receptor blockers, or histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs), are gastric acid-suppressing agents frequently used to treat various gastric conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the short-term administration of H2RAs for patients with uncomplicated gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric or duodenal ulcers, gastric hypersecretion, and mild to infrequent heartburn or indigestion. H2RAs may also be used off-label for stress ulcer prophylaxis, esophagitis, gastritis, gastrointestinal bleeding, or urticaria. H2RAs are sometimes part of a multidrug regimen for Helicobacter pylori eradication.