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http://mastcelldisorders.wallack.us/yabb/YaBB.pl General Mast Cell Disorders Discussion >> Medicines >> Which H2 blocker do you prefer? http://mastcelldisorders.wallack.us/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1311532955 Message started by jenwic on 07/24/11 at 07:42:35

Title: Which H2 blocker do you prefer?
Post by jenwic on 07/24/11 at 07:42:35

I am currently taking 2 Claritin per day (one in a.m. and one in p.m.). Dr. Grubb wants me to try an H2 blocker also. Which one do you prefer and what's a good starting dose?

Also, my reactions are not so much GI related. I have a lot of tachycardia issues. Since I started the Claritin, the occasional nausea and diahrrea have all but disappeared. Do H2 blockers work on other areas of the body besides the GI?

Title: Re: Which H2 blocker do you prefer?
Post by Starflower on 07/24/11 at 08:02:00

I started out with 10mg/day of Pepcid, but then I switched to 150mg/day of Zantac. Both are fine. Right now I'm taking 300mg of Zantac twice a day plus 10mg of Pepcid Complete whenever I have heartburn. It does help to have both an H1 blocker and an H2 blocker. There are four different kinds of histamine receptors, but they're scattered all over your body and have somewhat different functions. Give it a try and see if it makes any difference for you. It's very unlikely to cause a negative reaction.

Heather

Title: Re: Which H2 blocker do you prefer?
Post by Riverwn on 07/24/11 at 08:18:14

I take quite a few meds but my 2 fav are Allegra and Vistaril.. the Allegra even helpoed me with my tachycardia.. that seemed a miracle for me.. I take Allegra 180 mg twice a day and I add another one if Im not feeling good (in the middle of the day)... hope you feel better soon!
hugs
Ramona

Title: Re: Which H2 blocker do you prefer?
Post by Lisa on 07/24/11 at 09:13:43

I take Ranitidine. I've never taken any other type of H2 blocker so I don't know the difference between them.

As for H1, Allegra is my mainstay! Love this medicine! And apparently it loves me! It's fast and effective and has turned around almost all of my crises. Very rarely do I have to take a double dose or add any ranitidine or prednisone to turn it around - usually allegra does it all.

I also take Ketotifen and Polaramine as other H1 blockers. Polaramine is not available in the US, but it's a very effective med as well - it crosses the blood/brain barrier as does Ketotifen, so I take these only at night.

Lisa

Title: Re: Which H2 blocker do you prefer?
Post by Joan on 07/24/11 at 10:56:55

For an H2 blocker, I take Zantac/ranitidine (150 mg.) in the a.m. and then Pepcid/famotidine (20 mg.) at bedtime. My allergist has lately prescribed Pepcid 40 mg., in case I need something stronger.

Histamine is all the same; however, there are 4 different types of histamine receptors in the body. (H1, H2, .....) That's why we sometimes need both. As far as I know, there are no available H3 or H4 blockers.)

Title: Re: Which H2 blocker do you prefer?
Post by jenwic on 07/24/11 at 13:36:16

Thank you all for replying so quickly! Everyone on this forum is so helpful and caring :) I am thinking about trying the Zantac first, but I have Pepcid here too. I always start off slowly and with a small dose. I am SO sensitive to meds! It always makes me nervous when I try any new med.

I wonder if any H2 blockers would help with my asthma. I can't tolerate Singulair, but I've been wondering if I very slowly titrate up with the children's chewables if my mast cell reaction to Singulair would go away or get worse.

Thanks,
Jenny