Famotidine (
Pepcid®) is a medication that is available both as a prescription medication and as an over-the-counter medication. 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.
Side Effects of Famotidine
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 famotidine quite well. When 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 of famotidine include:
Famotidine: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
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:
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.
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) -- Famotidine 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) -- Famotidine can be used to treat 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.
Over-the-counter famotidine 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. The medicine can also be used to prevent these problems if taken before eating or drinking
foods that cause heartburn.
How Does Famotidine Work?
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 famotidine 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 famotidine after four weeks of treatment. Only 31 percent of people who were not taking famotidine had their duodenal ulcer heal within four weeks. Studies have also shown that famotidine 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 famotidine experienced healing of stomach ulcers within eight weeks. Ulcers healed in 54 percent of people who were not on famotidine.
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 famotidine. In these studies, famotidine 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 (which occur when too much stomach acid is produced), such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. These studies showed that famotidine is effective at decreasing stomach acid production and relieving symptoms.
When and How to Take Famotidine
Following are some general considerations for when and how to take famotidine:
- Famotidine 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.
- Famotidine can be taken with or without food. If you are using over-the-counter famotidine to prevent heartburn, you should take it 10 minutes 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 of the drug in your blood. If you take famotidine 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.
Dosing Information for Famotidine
The dose of famotidine that 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 famotidine dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Famotidine Drug Interactions
Alternatives to Famotidine
Famotidine is quite effective at treating
GERD, ulcers, or other digestive problems. It is also generally well-tolerated. However, it is possible that side effects will occur during treatment with famotidine or that the medicine may not work as well as needed. In these cases, your healthcare provider may recommend an alternative to famotidine. Some examples of substitute medications include:
Other alternatives to famotidine can include dietary changes
(see GERD Diet) and surgery (for more serious problems).
What If I Take an Overdose of Famotidine?
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 overdose on famotidine, seek immediate medical attention.
How Should Famotidine Be Stored?
All forms of famotidine (including liquid famotidine suspension) should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture or heat. The medication should also be kept in an airtight container. Famotidine 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 famotidine and all other medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Famotidine?
If you do not take your famotidine as scheduled, take your next 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 strengths:
- Famotidine 20 mg tablets
- Famotidine 40 mg tablets
- Famotidine oral suspension (liquid), 40 mg per 5 mg (40 mg per teaspoonful).
Over-the-counter famotidine 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).
Famotidine 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.
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