H2 Blockers · Pharmacology

A patient develops 'tachyphylaxis' within 2–6 days of starting an H2 blocker. What does this term imply in this context?

  1. An allergic reaction to the drug's metabolite
  2. A rapid decrease in the drug's acid-suppressing effect
  3. A dangerous increase in heart rate
  4. The irreversible destruction of parietal cells
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Correct answer: A rapid decrease in the drug's acid-suppressing effect

Tachyphylaxis, or tolerance, occurs frequently with H2RAs. The body compensates for the H2 blockade by increasing gastrin levels or sensitivity to other secretagogues, reducing the drug's efficacy over time.

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