What action characterizes famotidine in treating peptic ulcer disease?

Famotidine is recognized for its role as a histamine H2 receptor antagonist, which specifically inhibits gastric acid secretion. By blocking the H2 receptors on the parietal cells in the stomach lining, famotidine effectively reduces the production of gastric acid, thereby alleviating the symptoms and promoting healing in peptic ulcer disease. This mechanism is critical for managing conditions where excess acid contributes to ulcer formation and discomfort.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary action of famotidine. For instance, while neutralizing gastric acidity is a function of antacids, famotidine's mechanism involves suppression of acid production rather than direct neutralization. Similarly, increasing gastric motility is not a function associated with famotidine; instead, it focuses on reducing the triggers that lead to excess acid secretion. Lastly, facilitating histamine release does not align with famotidine's role; instead, it antagonizes the actions of histamine that promote acid secretion. Thus, the characterization of famotidine as a drug that inhibits gastric acid secretion correctly captures its therapeutic application in peptic ulcer disease.