Summary
Histamine H2-receptor antagonists (cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine and ranitidine) reduce gastric acidity through inhibition of gastric acid production. H2-receptor antagonists are used in the symptomatic relief of episodic dyspepsia and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, in the prevention and treatment of gastric or duodenal ulceration, and prior to general anaesthesia in patients at risk of acid aspiration. The British National Formulary (BNF) suggests ranitidine as the preferred H2-receptor antagonist for use in pregnancy after lifestyle modification and antacid or alginate treatment have proved unsuccessful in controlling symptoms, or are not considered appropriate.
Data regarding the risk of adverse pregnancy or fetal outcomes following exposure to H2-receptor antagonists as a class are drawn from studies reporting over 4,600 pregnancy exposures collectively. The majority of these studies do not analyse pregnancy outcomes for the individual H2-receptor antagonists separately. There are more data available for ranitidine (over 1,500 pregnancy exposures) and less data available for cimetidine, famotidine and nizatidine.
There is no evidence of an overall increase in the risk of congenital malformation for H2-antagonists. Nor is there good evidence of increased risks of specific malformations. Risks of spontaneous abortion, intrauterine death, low infant birth weight, preterm delivery, neonatal complications or adverse neuro-developmental outcomes do not appear to be increased following exposure to H2-receptor antagonists. However, studies of individual drugs are too small to draw definitive conclusions.
An increased risk of childhood asthma following maternal exposure to H2-receptor antagonists has been reported; however, as data are conflicted and possibly confounded, further research is required.
Exposure to H2-receptor antagonists at any stage of pregnancy would not be regarded as medical grounds for termination of pregnancy or any additional fetal monitoring. However, other risk factors may be present in individual cases which may independently increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcome. Clinicians are reminded of the importance of consideration of such factors when performing case-specific risk assessments.
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