Famotidine

Famotidine

Generic Name: famotidine (fam OH ti deen)

Brand names: Heartburn Relief, Leader Acid Reducer, Mylanta AR, Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength, Pepcid RPD

What is famotidine?

Famotidine is in a group of drugs called histamine-2 blockers. It works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces.

Famotidine is used to treat and prevent ulcers in the stomach and intestines. It also treats conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Famotidine also treats gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions in which acid backs up from the stomach into the esophagus, causing heartburn.

Famotidine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about famotidine

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to famotidine or similar medications such as ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), or nizatidine (Axid).

Before taking famotidine, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, stomach cancer or other problems, or asthma, COPD, or other breathing problems.

Avoid taking cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), or nizatidine (Axid) while you are taking famotidine, unless your doctor has told you to.

Famotidine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Famotidine may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes changes in diet or lifestyle habits. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Heartburn can be confused with early symptoms of heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, dizziness, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, nausea or vomiting, and a general ill feeling.

Before taking famotidine

Heartburn can be confused with early symptoms of heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, dizziness, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, nausea or vomiting, and a general ill feeling.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to famotidine or similar medications such as ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), or nizatidine (Axid).

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take famotidine if you have:

kidney disease; or

liver disease;

stomach cancer or other problems; or

asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing problems.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Famotidine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use famotidine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Famotidine pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take famotidine?

Use famotidine exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow your doctor's instructions.

The chewable tablet must be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) for 5 to 10 seconds before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Although most ulcers heal within 4 weeks of famotidine treatment, it may take up to 8 weeks of using this medicine before your ulcer heals. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 6 weeks of treatment.

Famotidine may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes changes in diet or lifestyle habits. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Store famotidine at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Throw away any unused famotidine liquid that is older than 30 days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, fast heart rate, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking famotidine?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase the risk of damage to your stomach.

Avoid taking cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), or nizatidine (Axid) while you are taking famotidine, unless your doctor has told you to.

Famotidine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Famotidine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using famotidine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

easy bruising or bleeding;

fast or pounding heartbeat;

confusion, hallucinations, seizure;

numbness or tingly feeling; or

jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious famotidine side effects may include:

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;

dry mouth;

dizziness, weakness, mood changes;

headache; or

muscle cramps, joint pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Famotidine side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect famotidine?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

atazanavir (Reyataz);

itraconazole (Sporanox);

ketoconazole (Nizoral); or

aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with famotidine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Famotidine resources

Famotidine Side Effects (in More Detail)

Famotidine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Drug Images

Famotidine Drug Interactions

Famotidine Support Group

8 Reviews for Famotidine - Add your own review/rating

Famotidine Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Famotidine MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Famotidine Monograph (AHFS DI)

famotidine Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

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

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about famotidine.