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Hi guys, just read the whole thread. It needs to be summarized, so here it is. I will update it and change it according to what people find and think. Hopefully it is of some use to those who do not wish to read so many pages or want some quick answers.

Conclusions And Summary of This Thread

1. DRUGS

1. Famotidine (Pepsid AC, Amfamox, Rani) : THE BEST
2. Ranitidine (Zantac) with Loratidine (Claradine): Ranitidine seems to work for a few people; ranitidine with loratidine seems to work even better.
3. Other: some have tried famotidine with loratidine but suggest that the loratidine does not help anymore than the famotidine by itself.

2. DURATION OF EFFECT

1. Famotidine: thought to last a whole night/8 hours, but some have experienced over 24hour effectiveness.
2. Ranitidine: much shorter duration. Some estimate a 4 hour average.

3. AMOUNT OF DRUG

* Amount will vary depending on body weight, tolerance, and many other factors.
* Note that famotidine is 7.5 times more potent than ranitidine, hence the huge difference in recommended quantities below.

GUIDELINE: Recommended amounts may be something like this:

Weight    Famotidine amount    Ranitidine + Loratidine
40-50kg    20mg                    75mg + 5mg
50-60kg    30mg                    150mg + 10mg
60-70kg    40mg                    150mg + 10mg
70-80kg    50mg                    225mg + 15mg
80-90kg    60mg                    300mg + 20mg

PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED AS A SUBSTITUTE TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE BOX. IN FACT, THEY MAY BE BEYOND RECOMMENDATIONS. THESE ARE MERELY WHAT THIS FORUM HAS CONCLUDED TO BE REASONABLE AND ARE TO BE USED AS A GUIDELINE. IF IN DOUBT, TAKE LESS. ALWAYS BEGIN WITH LESS.

4. TIPS TO ACHIEVE GREATEST EFFECTIVENESS

(a) Timing: take the pills at least 30 minutes before drinking, but possible up to 2 hours before. 30min-2hours is the consensus.

(b) Water: Consume the pills with water. 250ml-500ml seems to be appropriate.

(c) Eating: This has been a slight point of contention, though the general consensus is that avoiding food around the time of drinking and taking the H2-blocker(s) is more effective than partying on a full stomach. If you must eat at some point, it seems the best time is after a couple of drinks and thereafter.

(d) Dairy: Some suggest avoiding dairy helps, but for the majority, it seems to make no difference.

(e) Cigarettes: Some have suggested avoiding cigarettes helps.

(f) Speed of drinking: Many adhere to this rule: drink the first drink slowly. I’m not sure why this would help all that much, but many suggest it is a key tactic to avoiding the flush. Furthermore, the general consensus is that slamming shots will undo the H2-blocker: so drink slowly. 2 standard drinks per hour has been suggested as reasonable.

5. TYPES OF ALCOHOL

Generally, speaking, the more expensive the alcohol the less Asian blush occurs. I don’t know why. Below are some of my and other conclusions on good and bad alcohols.

BAD
Wine (red and white). One of the worst things you can take. This stuff rapes me   
Vodka. Quite bad as well. If you have to have it, buy expensive stuff.   
Bourbon whiskey. I have found this to be not so good   
Beer. I find beer to be on the worse side of things.   
   
GOOD
Jagermeister. I find this to be really one of the better alcohols.
Gin. Some have said it is quite good.
Scotch whiskey. Especially the better ones seem to be quite good.

Tequila?
Rum?

6. TOLERANCE

If you take famotidine regularly for years you will develop a tolerance. This seems to be the general consensus between long time users.

7. ACQURING DRUGS IN AUSTRALIA

Famotidine is prescription; ranitidine and loratidine are not. However, it is legal to buy famotidine over the internet (eBay) and have it imported by mail so long as the quantity does not exceed that would be consumed in 3 months if it was consumed in regular dosages: i.e. 170 20mg pills is fine; if you import over 180 20mg pills you are pushing it.

8. ALTERNATE METHODS

(a) Hangover pills like Cheerz do not work
(b) See other threads for potential solutions.

9. SAFETY

No consistent or documented negative side effects have been concluded. From the fact that so many people are successfully doing this, it seems short-term negative side effects are negligible, though nothing can be said as of yet about long-term side effects.

Some side effects that have been mentioned are:
•    Tingly arm
•    Nausea (occurring if an individual consumes more H2-blocker than necessary)
•    Increased effect of alcohol (some get drunk sooner)
•    Decreased effect of alcohol (some can’t even get drunk)
•    Diarrhea (one person mentioned this)
•    Other general side effects of famotidine such as dry mouth, dizziness, and so on.

10. FINAL WORRIES AND QUESTIONS UNANSWERED

In technical language:

1. Kman made some particularly good points about the fact that H2-blockers may not actually be slowing the metabolism of alcohol (thereby allowing acetaldehyde metabolism to keep up) but instead simply targeting the histamines that are produced as a result of elevated acetaldehyde levels.
2. This suggestion was made in light of the fact that ethanol levels in subjects were not elevated despite taking famotidine. However, these studies are from some time ago – Kman if you are still around, could you possibly look up some recent ones perhaps circa 2005-2008?
3. If this is indeed the way the famotidine is operating, perhaps it is a dangerous drug as drinkers will still have elevated acetaldehyde level but simply not realize.
4. A side note that was worth noting is that according to Kman’s research, it is likely ranitidine is ‘better’ for you as alcohol levels were increased in subjects when taking ranitidine suggesting it inhibits the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase.

In layman’s terms:

1. Pepcid might not be addressing the underlying problem but instead masking the symptoms
2. There is good evidence to suggest the above conclusion, but I want more evidence.
3. As Pepcid merely covers up the symptoms of the problem but allows the problem to still exist, we may be putting ourselves at even greater risk of cancer and the other harmful effects of acetaldehyde.
4. If you are shit-scared, take ranitidine. If it doesn’t work, I guess you’ll have to stick to famotidine.

11. ANSWERS TO MISCELLANEOUS FAQS

Is there any difference between 20mg famotidine pills and 10mg famotidine pills besides their famotidine content? No.

Is there any difference between Pepcid AC and other pills that have only famotidine in them? No.