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H2 blockers compared

Compare all 4 H2 blockers side by side, used for conditions such as duodenal ulcer, dyspepsia, esophagitis, peptic. H2 blockers are the Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist class. They share one FDA-defined mechanism but differ in approved uses, prescription status, brand-vs-generic options, price, and FDA recall-safety record — which our independent rating scores. The highest-rated is famotidine.

3 of 4 drugs in this class carry a pharmaranks safety score, ranging 70–72 out of 100 — computed from FDA recall records, not from reviews.

Rated against independent sources·Last updated July 30, 2026·How we rate

Top-rated histamine-2 receptor antagonist: 1. Famotidine · 2. Tagamet Hb · 3. Pepcid Ac

Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist drugs compared side by side, with pharmaranks' FDA recall-safety rating
DrugGenericSafety ratingFDA recall-based
Famotidine—72/100
Tagamet HbCimetidine72/100
Pepcid AcFamotidine70/100
Cimetidine Hydrochloride—Not yet rated

The safety rating column is unique to pharmaranks — an independent 0–100 score from FDA regulatory recall data. Higher is safer. Not medical advice.

Best histamine-2 receptor antagonist by condition

for duodenal ulcerfor dyspepsiafor peptic esophagitisfor gastroesophageal refluxfor heartburnfor stomach ulcer

Full ranking · 4 drugs

  1. 1

    famotidine

    Famotidine

    72/100
  2. 2

    tagamet hb

    Cimetidine

    72/100
  3. 3

    pepcid ac

    Famotidine

    70/100
  4. 4

    cimetidine hydrochloride

    Cimetidine Hydrochloride

    New

Frequently asked questions

What is the Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist drug class?

Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist is an FDA Established Pharmacologic Class (EPC) — a group of drugs that share a mechanism of action. pharmaranks lists 4 Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist products, each independently rated.

Are all Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist drugs the same?

No. Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist drugs share the same core mechanism — that is why they sit in one FDA class — but they differ in their approved uses, available forms, whether they are prescription or over-the-counter, brand-vs-generic options and price, and their FDA recall-safety record.

Is "H2 blockers" the same as the Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist class?

Yes — "H2 blockers" is the everyday name for the Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist drug class. This page compares the 4 H2 blockers pharmaranks rates, with our independent FDA recall-safety score for each.

What conditions do Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist drugs treat?

Per NIH RxClass drug-classification data, Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist drugs are used for conditions including duodenal ulcer, dyspepsia, esophagitis, peptic, gastroesophageal reflux, heartburn, stomach ulcer.

Which Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist drug is best-rated?

By our independent rating, famotidine currently ranks highest among Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist drugs. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data — always consult a professional.

Sources: the Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist class definition and its member drugs come from the U.S. NLM RxClass (Established Pharmacologic Class). Ratings are pharmaranks’ independent FDA recall-safety analysis.