The Dangers and Side Effects of H2 Blockers

There are a few different heartburn medications that your doctor may have you try if you are diagnosed with reflux. Of these, H2 blockers tend to be the mildest, so most providers start with this type of medication. In this post, we’ll take a look at three extremely common patient questions: are H2 blockers harmful, how long can you take H2 blockers, and what are the side effects of long-term use of H2 blockers?

Are H2 Blockers Harmful? How Do They Work?

So, are H2 blockers harmful? When taken as directed, H2 blockers can be extremely helpful, rather than harmful. However, H2 blockers aren't meant to be a constant necessity. Patients with gastritis (an inflamed stomach or digestive tract), peptic ulcers, and mild reflux may benefit from a short course of H2 blockers like Famotidine (Pepcid). These medications reduce stomach acid by blocking histamine production. In the stomach, histamine is what triggers additional acid production. Because of this process, H2 blockers tend to be much quicker acting, taking only 15-20 minutes to prevent acid production from increasing.

If You Have Kidney or Liver Problems

If you fall into this category, taking H2 blockers could cause the following issues for you:

• Severe allergic reactions

• Depression

• Confusion

• Pancreatitis

• Hemolytic anemia

• Jaundice

• Abdominal pain

• Blisters

• Fainting

How Long Can You Take H2 Blockers?

Many patients ask us this question: how long can you take H2 blockers? And, while there are exceptions to every rule, in general, H2 blockers should be taken in 2-week intervals. H2 blockers are best used for infrequent heartburn or to allow a stomach ulcer to heal. H2 blockers should not be a daily medication unless your doctor has determined that this is a patient's only valid course of treatment. Here at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center, we believe that it's better to solve the anatomical cause of reflux. This way, the patient can avoid all of the unhealthy side effects of prolonged H2 blocker use.

What Are the Side Effects of Long-Term Use of H2 Blockers?

Unfortunately, H2 blockers alter the chemistry within your stomach. The stomach is meant to be a very acidic place; this allows your body to properly digest food. When the stomach is not acidic enough, you may be more susceptible to indigestion, peptic ulcers caused by certain bacteria, food-borne illnesses, malnutrition, and more. Furthermore, the longer you take these medications, the more dependent on them you become. This is because your stomach will ramp up acid production to try to compensate for the medication you are taking.

General H2 Blocker Side Effects

The potential side effects of H2 blockers for otherwise healthy individuals are as follows:

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Difficulty sleeping

• Dry mouth

• Dry skin

• Headaches

• Ringing in the ears

• Runny nose

• Trouble urinating

• Dizziness

• Joint or muscle pain

If H2 Blockers Aren’t a Good Idea, What Do I Do?

As mentioned above, we believe it's best to stop GERD at its source: the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). In patients with GERD, the LES is weak and does not close completely, especially when trigger foods and beverages are consumed. Here at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center, we offer several reflux surgeries that will allow patients to come off their medication for good.

For more information about our surgeries or to schedule a consultation, contact the team of reflux specialists here at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center. We look forward to helping you end your dependence on H2 blockers and PPI medication.