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Famotidine Sexual Side Effects

Some people may experience side effects while taking famotidine. Sexual side effects are among these problems that have been reported. In previous studies, a decreased sex drive was reported "infrequently" in people on famotidine. While impotence has been reported in people taking the medicine, a similar percentage of people who were not taking it also experienced impotence. If you are taking famotidine and sexual side effects occur, you should be sure to let your healthcare provider know.

 

Famotidine Sexual Side Effects: An Overview

As with all medicines, side effects are possible with famotidine (Pepcid®, Pepcid AC®, Pepcid Complete®). In clinical studies that were conducted prior to the drug's approval, a few sexual side effects were reported. These included the following:
 

Famotidine Sexual Side Effects: A Decreased Sex Drive

In previous clinical studies, a decrease in sex drive (also known as libido) was reported in people taking famotidine. This occurred "infrequently," though the exact percentage was not reported.
 

Famotidine Sexual Side Effects: Impotence

Impotence is usually defined as a total inability to achieve erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections.
 Ultimately, impotence is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection that is firm enough for sexual intercourse. Impotence is also known as erectile dysfunction (or ED for short).
 
Although there were reports of impotence in men taking famotidine, a similar percentage of men not taking the drug also reported impotence. Therefore, it appears unlikely that famotidine is a cause of impotence.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;