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Famotidine Dosing
Famotidine dosing can vary depending on a person's age, among other factors. For example, the recommended famotidine dosage for treating ulcers in adults is 40 mg daily, while the famotidine dosage for treating ulcers in children ages 1 to 16 is 0.5 mg per kg per day (about 0.23 mg per pound per day). Also, the recommended famotidine dose for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in adults is 20 mg, taken twice daily for up to six weeks. However, for children ages 1 to 16, the recommended famotidine dose for treating GERD is 0.5 mg per kg (about 0.23 mg per pound), taken twice daily, up to a maximum of 40 mg twice a day.
The dose of famotidine (Pepcid®) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age
- The medical condition that you are being treated for
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you are currently taking.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
The following sections explain the dosing guidelines when famotidine is used to treat conditions affecting the digestive tract in adults.
Famotidine Dosing for Duodenal Ulcers
The recommended famotidine dose for treating duodenal ulcers (upper intestinal ulcers) is famotidine 40 mg, taken at bedtime; or famotidine 20 mg, taken twice daily. Famotidine can also be used to prevent duodenal ulcers from returning. After the ulcer is healed, the dose to prevent future duodenal ulcers is famotidine 20 mg, taken once daily at bedtime.
Famotidine Dosing for Gastric Ulcers
The recommended famotidine dosage for treating gastric (stomach) ulcers is famotidine 40 mg, taken at bedtime.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD