What is Famotidine? Uses, warnings & side effects
Famotidine reduces stomach acid in people who have problems with heartburn, ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other stomach acid problems. Administered as a tablet, oral suspension, or injection, famotidine belongs to a group of drugs called H2-blockers and can be purchased with or without a prescription.
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Famotidine overview
BRAND NAMES:
Pepcid (Rx), Pepcid AC (OTC), Zantac 360 (OTC)
Generic Names:
Famotidine
Uses:
Treats heartburn (OTC), ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), erosive esophagitis, and conditions that cause the stomach to produce too much acid.
Therapeutic Classes:
H2 blocker (histamine H2-receptor antagonist), gastric acid secretion Inhibitor, gastrointestinal agent
Forms:
Tablet, oral suspension, injection
How it’s taken:
By mouth or injection
What is Famotidine used for?
Over-the-counter famotidine can be purchased without a prescription to relieve or prevent heartburn associated with indigestion or sour stomach. Healthcare providers prescribe famotidine to treat symptomatic GERD, esophagus damage due to GERD, stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, and medical conditions that cause the stomach to secrete too much acid.
What form(s) does Famotidine come in?
Tablet
10 mg (OTC)
20 mg (OTC and Rx)
40 mg (Rx)
Oral suspension
40 mg/5 mL (Rx)
Injection
10 mg/mL (Rx), 20 mg/50 mL (Rx)
What are common Famotidine dosages?
For heartburn, indigestion, or sour stomach in adults (OTC famotidine): 10-20 mg tablet taken as needed to relieve heartburn or taken 10-60 minutes before eating to prevent heartburn
For active duodenal ulcer in adults: 40 mg tablet taken at bedtime or 20 mg tablet taken twice per day for up to 8 weeks (20 mg IV infusion every 12 hours if unable to take medication by mouth)
For maintenance treatment of duodenal ulcer in adults: 20 mg tablet taken once daily for up to one year
For active stomach ulcer in adults: 40 mg tablet taken once daily for up to 8 weeks (20 mg IV infusion every 12 hours if unable to take medication by mouth)
For symptomatic GERD in adults: 20 mg taken twice per day for up to 6 weeks
For erosive esophagitis in adults: 20–40 mg taken twice per day for up to 12 weeks
For conditions that cause oversecretion of stomach acid in adults: 20–160 mg every six hours
Children may also take prescription famotidine for symptomatic GERD, erosive esophagitis, or peptic ulcer disease. Doses will be based on weight and age, but children weighing more than 88 pounds (40 kg) will take adult doses. Find more information about famotidine dosages, forms, and strengths here.
Famotidine images - What does Famotidine look like?
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4ml of 40mg/4ml vial
How to take Famotidine
Take your medicine as directed. The dose may need to be changed during treatment.
Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.
OTC famotidine can be used to relieve or prevent heartburn.
To relieve heartburn, take a tablet as needed.
To prevent heartburn, take the tablet at least 10 minutes before eating.
Do not take more than two tablets every 24 hours.
Do not use OTC famotidine with other stomach acid reducers.
HOW TO TAKE FAMOTIDINE TABLETS
Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water. Do not crush or chew it.
Store at room temperature, protected from moisture and light.
HOW TO TAKE FAMOTIDINE ORAL SUSPENSION
Shake the oral liquid for 5 to 10 seconds before each use.
Measure the dose with a calibrated oral syringe or other medicine-measuring device. Do not use kitchen measuring devices or table utensils.
Store the oral suspension at room temperature. Do not freeze.
Throw away any unused oral liquid that is more than 1 month old.
What to do if you miss a dose of Famotidine
Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose.
Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Famotidine contraindications - Who shouldn't take Famotidine?
This medicine is not right for everyone.
Do not use it if you have ever had an allergic reaction to famotidine or similar medicines called H2 blockers such as Tagamet (cimetidine) or Axid (nizatidine).
Famotidine warnings
Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using prescription or over-the-counter famotidine, even if you use it only occasionally.
If you’re taking prescription famotidine, your doctor may require follow-up visits and regular lab tests to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Do not use OTC famotidine if heartburn doesn’t improve or gets worse. Talk to a doctor.
Do not use OTC famotidine for longer than 14 days. See a doctor for a diagnosis and more appropriate treatment.
Before taking OTC or prescription famotidine, talk to a doctor if you have:
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Stomach cancer
Trouble or pain when swallowing food
Bloody or black and tarry stools
Blood in your vomit
This medicine may cause changes in your heart rhythm, so make sure to tell the prescribing doctor about:
Heart or heart rhythm problems
All medications that you’re taking
Some brands or forms of this medicine may contain phenylalanine (aspartame). If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), talk to your doctor before using this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Famotidine interactions & what to avoid when taking Famotidine
To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you are using before taking omeprazole.
Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.
Because famotidine reduces stomach acid, it can make some medications less effective. These include:
The antifungal medications ketoconazole and itraconazole
HIV/AIDS drugs
Anticancer drugs
Iron supplements
The antibiotic cefditoren
If you are on the menopause drug Veozah (fezolinetant), do not take OTC or prescription famotidine.
If you’re taking the muscle relaxant tizanidine, talk to a doctor before taking OTC famotidine.
Famotidine side effects - How does Famotidine make you feel?
Serious side effects
Talk to a doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect including:
Agitation, confusion, seizures
Fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness
Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Dark urine or pale stools, yellow eyes or skin
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Less serious side effects
Headache
Dizziness
Constipation
Sources:
Famotidine injection prescribing information, NIH National Library of Medicine
Famotidine powder for oral suspension prescribing information, NIH National Library of Medicine
Famotidine tablet drug information, NIH National Library of Medicine
Famotidine tablet prescribing information, NIH National Library of Medicine
Pepcid AC Original Strength famotidine tablet drug information, NIH National Library of Medicine
Pepcid famotidine tablet prescribing information, NIH National Library of Medicine
Zantac 360 famotidine tablet drug information, NIH National Library of Medicine
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