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Famotidine

Brand Names

; Mylanta AR®(Discontinued by Manufacturer) ; Pepcid® ; Pepcid® AC [OTC] ; Pepcid RPD™

Foreign Brand Names

; Apo-Famotidine® (Canada) ; Durater (Mexico) ; Famoxal (Mexico) ; Farmotex® (Mexico) ; Novo-Famotidine (Canada) ; Nu-Famotidine (Canada) ; Pepcidine® (Mexico) ; Sigafam (Mexico)

Therapeutic Categories

Histamine H2 Antagonist

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to another H₂ antagonists or any other part of the medicine.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used for the treatment of ulcers in the stomach and small intestine (active treatment and prevention), gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hypersecretory conditions (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).
• Other uses include treatment of heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach.

How does it work?

• Famotidine decreases stomach acid secretion. This allows healing to occur in the area of ulceration or damage caused by the acid.

How is it best taken?

• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach. Take at bedtime if you are taking this medicine once a day.
• Chew the chewable tablet well.
• The disintegrating tablet(Pepcid RPD™) dissolves in your mouth. Do not swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush. Water is not needed.
• A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given. Shake well first.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Do not use Pepcid® AC for more than 14 days unless healthcare provider recommends.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
• Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake. Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and anxiety.
• Avoid or limit smoking.
• Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen or like products, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E if you have an ulcer. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.

What should I monitor?

• Watch for change in symptoms. Is condition better, worse, or about the same?

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Blood in the stool and toilet bowl or vomiting blood.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store tablets in a tight container at room temperature. Keep away from moisture.
• Store liquid (suspension) at room temperature. Throw away after 30 days. Do not freeze.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).