famotidine

fam-OH-ti-deen

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Heartburn Relief


• Pepcid


• Pepcid AC

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet


• Powder for Suspension


• Tablet, Chewable


• Tablet, Disintegrating

Therapeutic Class: Gastric Acid Secretion Inhibitor

Pharmacologic Class: Histamine H2 Antagonist

Uses For famotidine

Famotidine is used to treat stomach ulcers (gastric and duodenal), erosive esophagitis (heartburn or acid indigestion), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a condition where the acid in the stomach washes back up into the esophagus. It is also used to treat certain conditions where there is too much acid in the stomach (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, endocrine tumors).

Famotidine belongs to the group of medicines known as histamine H2-receptor antagonists or H2-blockers. It works by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach.

famotidine is available with your doctor's prescription and also without a prescription. For the prescription form, there is more medicine in each tablet. Your doctor will have special instructions on the proper use and dose for your medical problem.

Before Using famotidine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For famotidine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to famotidine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of famotidine in children.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of famotidine in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving famotidine.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	B	Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking famotidine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using famotidine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Atazanavir


• Dasatinib


• Delavirdine


• Rilpivirine


• Tizanidine


• Tolazoline

Using famotidine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Cefditoren Pivoxil


• Cefpodoxime Proxetil


• Cyclosporine


• Itraconazole

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of famotidine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney disease, moderate or severe—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use of famotidine

Take famotidine exactly as directed by your doctor or as directed on the package. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

Keep using famotidine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better.

Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

Dosing

The dose of famotidine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of famotidine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage forms (suspension, tablets):
  
  • To treat stomach ulcers:
    
    • Adults—20 milligrams (mg) one or two times per day or 40 mg once a day at bedtime.
    
    
    • Teenagers and children above 1 year of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is usually 0.5 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, given as a single dose at bedtime or divided in two doses. The total dose is usually not more than 40 mg per day.
    
    
  
  
  • To treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):
    
    • Adults—20 milligrams (mg) two times per day.
    
    
    • Teenagers and children above 1 year of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is usually 1 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, divided and given two times per day. The total dose is usually not more than 40 mg two times per day.
    
    
    • Infants 3 months to 1 year of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 1 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, divided and given two times per day.
    
    
    • Infants younger than 3 months of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 0.5 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, given as a single dose once a day.
    
    
  
  
  • To treat erosive esophagitis (heartburn):
    
    • Adults—10, 20, or 40 milligrams (mg) two times per day.
    
    
    • Teenagers and children above 1 year of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is usually 1 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, divided and given two times per day. The total dose is usually not more than 40 mg two times per day.
    
    
  
  
  • To treat too much stomach acid (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome):
    
    • Adults—20 milligrams (mg) every 6 hours. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of famotidine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Throw away any unused oral liquid after 30 days.

Precautions While Using famotidine

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure famotidine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

If your condition does not improve, or if it become worse, check with your doctor.

famotidine Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Bleeding gums


• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin


• blood in the urine or stools


• bloody, black, or tarry stools


• chest pain


• chills


• cough or hoarseness


• diarrhea


• fever


• fever with or without chills


• general feeling of tiredness or weakness


• high fever


• itching


• joint or muscle pain


• lower back or side pain


• painful or difficult urination


• pale skin


• pinpoint red spots on the skin


• red, irritated eyes


• red skin lesions, often with a purple center


• shortness of breath


• sore throat


• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth


• swollen glands


• unusual bleeding or bruising


• unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach pain


• anxiety


• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings


• clay-colored stools


• dark urine


• depression


• difficulty with breathing


• difficulty with swallowing


• dizziness


• dry mouth


• fainting


• false sense of well-being


• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse


• headache


• hives


• hyperventilation


• irritability


• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs


• loss of appetite


• loss of bladder control


• loss of consciousness


• mood swings


• nausea


• nervousness


• noisy breathing


• personality changes


• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue


• rash


• restlessness


• seizures


• shaking


• skin rash


• swelling around the eyes


• tightness in the chest


• total body jerking


• trouble with sleeping


• troubled with breathing


• unpleasant breath odor


• vision changes


• vomiting of blood


• wheezing


• yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

Rare

• Swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach discomfort


• blemishes on the skin


• change in taste or bad, unusual or unpleasant (after) taste


• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears


• decreased interest in sexual intercourse


• difficulty with moving


• dry skin


• fear


• hair loss or thinning of the hair


• hearing loss


• hives or welts


• inability to have or keep an erection


• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance


• mood or mental changes


• muscle cramps


• muscle stiffness


• pimples


• redness of the skin


• redness of the white part of the eyes


• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there


• sleeplessness


• unable to sleep


• weight loss

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: famotidine side effects (in more detail)

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More famotidine resources

• Famotidine Side Effects (in more detail)
• Famotidine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Famotidine Drug Interactions
• Famotidine Support Group
• 10 Reviews for Famotidine - Add your own review/rating

• Famotidine Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Famotidine Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Famotidine MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Pepcid Consumer Overview


• Pepcid Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Pepcid Injection Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare famotidine with other medications

• Allergic Urticaria
• Duodenal Ulcer
• Duodenal Ulcer Prophylaxis
• Erosive Esophagitis
• GERD
• Indigestion
• Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions
• Peptic Ulcer
• Stomach Ulcer
• Upper GI Hemorrhage
• Urticaria
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome