The frequency of oral famotidine administration influences its effect on gastric pH in cats over time.
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BACKGROUND: Famotidine is commonly administered to cats. Prolonged famotidine administration results in decreased efficacy in humans, dogs, and cows, but the long-term effects in cats are unknown. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effect of 2 oral administration frequencies of famotidine, twice daily (Group 1) and twice daily every second day (Group 2), on intragastric pH and serum gastrin concentrations in cats. We hypothesized a diminished effect on intragastric pH would be observed over time in Group 1 but not Group 2. ANIMALS: Sixteen healthy cats. METHODS: Randomized, 2-factor repeated measures crossover design. Cats received 0.5-1.24mg/kg (median, 0.87mg/kg) famotidine twice daily or twice daily every second day for 14 consecutive days. Intragastric pH monitoring was used to record intragastric pH on treatment days 1-3 and 11-13. Mean pH and mean percentage time (MPT) intragastric pH was 3 and 4 were compared between and within treatment groups by analysis of variance. RESULTS: Significant treatment group by time interactions were observed for mean intragastric pH, MPT intragastric pH3 and 4 (P=.009, P=.02, P=.005, respectively). Interaction post hoc tests identified significant decreases in mean intragastric pH (P=.001), MPT3 (P=.001), and MPT4 (P=.001) on day 13 compared to day 1 in Group 1 but not in Group 2. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Oral famotidine administration results in a diminished effect on intragastric pH in healthy cats when given twice daily every day.
