Medications
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Famotidine
Famotidine is approved to treat conditions affecting the esophagus, stomach, and intestines (such as heartburn and ulcers). Available in over-the-counter and prescription forms, the medication can be taken once or twice a day, or as needed. Famotidine blocks the action of specific histamine receptors in the stomach, which reduces the amount of acid produced. Potential side effects include diarrhea, headaches, and dizziness.
Famotidine (Pepcid®) is a medication that is available in both prescription and over-the-counter forms. It is used to treat several conditions related to the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Famotidine is part of a class of drugs known as H2 blockers.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with famotidine. However, not everyone who takes the medicine will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Some of the most common side effects include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Diarrhea.
(Click Famotidine Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report to your healthcare provider. You can also read about other possible side effects by clicking Famotidine Sexual Side Effects.)
You should talk with your healthcare provider before taking famotidine if you have:
- Kidney problems, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
- Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
- Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant (see Famotidine and Pregnancy)
- Breastfeeding (see Famotidine and Breastfeeding).
You should also tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you currently take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
(Click Precautions and Warnings With Famotidine to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
Following are some of the conditions that famotidine can be used to treat:
- Duodenal ulcers (ulcers in the first part of the intestine after the stomach) -- The medication can be used to treat a duodenal ulcer and also to prevent ulcers from coming back.
- Gastric ulcers (stomach ulcers) -- Famotidine is approved to treat benign (noncancerous) gastric ulcers.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) -- The medicine can help to relieve heartburn and heal esophagitis (damage to the esophagus) due to GERD.
- Pathological hypersecretory conditions -- Famotidine helps to treat these conditions (which occur when too much stomach acid is produced), such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
The over-the-counter form is approved for the treatment of the following conditions:
- Heartburn
- Acid indigestion
- Sour stomach.
Over-the-counter famotidine can be used to treat these problems once they have started. It can also be used to prevent these problems if taken before eating or drinking foods that cause heartburn.
(Click What Is Famotidine Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
Famotidine is an H2 blocker that works by blocking a specific kind of histamine receptor. Histamine is a chemical released by the body that has several effects. In the stomach, histamine causes more acid to be produced. By blocking histamine in the stomach, famotidine reduces the amount of acid produced. This is why the medication is known as an "acid reducer."
Previous studies have examined the effectiveness of famotidine for the treatment of several conditions, including:
- Ulcers
- GERD and esophagitis
- Pathological hypersecretory conditions.
Ulcers
In one study of famotidine for duodenal ulcers (upper intestinal ulcers), ulcers were healed in 70 percent of people who took the drug after four weeks of treatment. Only 31 percent of people who were not taking it had their duodenal ulcer heal within four weeks. Studies have also shown that the medication can prevent duodenal ulcers from returning.
In studies looking at the use of famotidine for gastric ulcer (stomach ulcer) treatment, up to 80 percent of people taking it experienced healing of stomach ulcers within eight weeks. Ulcers healed in 54 percent of people who were not on the medication.
GERD and Esophagitis
Studies have looked at using famotidine for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In these studies, up to 82 percent had moderate or excellent improvement in their GERD symptoms, compared to 62 percent of people not taking the drug. In these studies, it also helped to heal esophagitis (damage to the esophagus) due to GERD.
Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions
Famotidine has been studied in people with a number of pathological hypersecretory conditions, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which occur when too much stomach acid is produced). These studies showed that the medication is effective at decreasing stomach acid production and relieving symptoms.
Following are some general considerations for when and how to take famotidine:
- The medication comes in tablet form. Depending on the condition, it is usually taken by mouth one or two times a day.
- For people who have difficulty swallowing capsules or tablets, prescription famotidine also comes in a suspension (liquid) form. Make sure to shake the suspension well before each dose.
- The medication can be taken with or without food. If you are using the over-the-counter version to prevent heartburn, you should take it 10 to 60 minutes before eating or drinking the foods that cause heartburn (up to twice a day).
- If you take famotidine on a regular basis, not just when you need it, it should be taken at the same time(s) each day to maintain an even level in your blood. If you take the medication just once a day, it is usually best to take it in the evening or before bedtime.
- For famotidine to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. The medication will not work if you stop taking it.
The dose of famotidine your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age
- The medical condition being treated
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you are currently taking.
As with any medication, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
(Click Famotidine Dosing for more information.)
Famotidine can potentially interact with a few other medicines (see Drug Interactions With Famotidine).
Famotidine is quite effective at treating GERD, ulcers, or other digestive problems. It is also generally well tolerated. However, side effects may occur during treatment or the medicine may not work as well as needed. In these cases, your healthcare provider may recommend an alternative. Some examples of substitute medications include:
- Other H2 blockers
- Antacids or foaming agents
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
Other alternatives can include dietary changes (see GERD Diet) and surgery (for more serious problems).
(Click Famotidine Alternatives to learn more. Click Treatment Options for GERD to learn about other ways of managing this condition.)
People who take too much famotidine may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Vomiting
- Restlessness
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- A rapid heart rate (tachycardia).
If you happen to take too much, seek immediate medical attention.
(Click Famotidine Overdose for more information.)
All forms of famotidine (including the liquid suspension) should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture or heat. The medication should also be kept in an airtight container. The suspension is good for 30 days once it is mixed by your pharmacist. After 30 days, it should not be used and should be thrown away.
Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children.
If you do not take your famotidine as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Famotidine is made by several manufacturers.
Prescription famotidine is available in the following forms and strengths:
- Famotidine 20 mg tablets
- Famotidine 40 mg tablets
- Famotidine oral suspension (liquid), 40 mg per 5 mg (40 mg per teaspoonful).
The over-the-counter version is available in the following strengths and forms:
- Famotidine 10 mg tablets
- Famotidine 20 mg tablets
- Famotidine 20 mg chewable tablets.
Over-the-counter Famotidine Complete Chewable tablets (a combination of famotidine with two antacids) is available in one strength (800 mg calcium carbonate/10 mg famotidine/165 mg magnesium hydroxide).
The drug is also available in an injectable form for use in hospitals.
There are currently both brand-name and generic versions of famotidine licensed for sale. However, there is no generic liquid famotidine available.
(Click Generic Pepcid for more information.)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
