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Famotidine
Famotidine
Pronunciation
(fa MOE ti deen)
Brand Names
Pepcid®; Pepcid® AC Acid Controller [OTC]; Pepcid RPD®
Canadian/Mexican Brand Names
Apo-Famotidine® (Canada); Durater (Mexico); Famoxal (Mexico); Farmotex®
(Mexico); Novo-Famotidine (Canada); Nu-Famotidine (Canada); Pepcidine® (Mexico);
Sigafam (Mexico)
Therapeutic Categories
Antihistamine, H2 Blocker; Histamine H2 Antagonist
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 dissolves in your mouth. Do not swallow whole. Do
not chew, break, or crush.
- 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?
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
- Limit caffeine (teas, coffee, colas) and chocolate intake.
- 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).
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