What is famotidine?
Famotidine is in a class of drugs called histamine receptor antagonists. Famotidine works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces. Famotidine is used to treat and prevent ulcers in the stomach and intestines. Famotidine is also used to treat conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid and conditions in which acid comes up into the esophagus and causes heartburn, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Famotidine may also be used for conditions other than those listed in this medication guide.
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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?
Pricing information provided by drugstore.com.
| Famotidine 20MG TABS | TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA | 30/$19.99 or 90/$49.99 |
| Famotidine 40MG TABS | TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA | 30/$25.99 or 90/$66.99 |
| Pepcid 20MG TABS | MERCK HUMAN HEALTH | 30/$54.99 or 90/$153.99 |
| Pepcid 40MG/5ML SUSR | SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. | 50/$123.88 or 150/$371.64 |
| Pepcid 40MG TABS | MERCK HUMAN HEALTH | 30/$105.98 or 90/$299.96 |
| Pepcid AC 10MG TABS | J & J MERCK | 12/$7.99 or 36/$14.83 |
| Pepcid AC 10MG TABS | J & J MERCK | 18/$7.99 or 54/$18.84 |
| Pepcid AC 10MG TABS | J & J MERCK | 30/$9.35 or 90/$28.05 |
| Pepcid AC 10MG TABS | J & J MERCK | 6/$8.99 or 18/$10.99 |
| SM Acid Reducer 10MG TABS | MCKESSON VALU-RITE | 30/$8.99 or 90/$22.47 |
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What are the possible side effects of famotidine?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking famotidine and
contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment.
-
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
-
easy or unusual bruising or bleeding;
-
bleeding gums;
-
irregular heartbeat;
-
yellowing of the skin or eyes; or
-
a rash.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
take famotidine and talk to your doctor if you experience
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
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How should I take famotidine?
Take famotidine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each oral dose with a full glass of water. Chew the chewable tablets thoroughly before swallowing. Administration with liquid is not necessary for the Pepcid RPD orally disintegrating tablets. Just prior to taking a dose, peel open the blister pack with dry hands and place the tablet on the tongue, where it will dissolve and be swallowed with the saliva.
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What is the most important information I should know about famotidine?
Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. It may take up to 8 weeks for an ulcer to heal. Do not take antacids within 1 hour of taking famotidine. Antacids may decrease the effectiveness of famotidine.
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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
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What other drugs will affect famotidine?
Do not take antacids within 1 hour of taking famotidine. Antacids may decrease the effectiveness of famotidine. Famotidine may affect the actions of other medications by changing the acidity of the stomach. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines during treatment with famotidine, including herbal products.
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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?
Famotidine has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Animal studies failed to reveal evidence of fetal damage. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Famotidine is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.
There are no data on the excretion of famotidine into human milk. Famotidine and its metabolites are excreted into the milk of rats.
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Who should NOT use this medication?
- Known hypersensitivity to famotidine, any ingredient in the formulation, or to other histamine H2 antagonists (i.e., cimetidine, nizatidine, ranitidine).
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What does my medication look like?
Famotidine is available with a prescription under the brand name Pepcid. It is also available over the counter under the brand name Pepcid AC. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you. Pepcid 20 mg--U-shaped, beige, film-coated tablets Pepcid 40 mg--U-shaped, light-brown/orange, film-coated tablets Pepcid RPD Orally Disintegrating Tablets 20 mg-hexagonal, pale rose colored tablets
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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms of a famotidine overdose include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased saliva production, difficulty breathing, and a fast heartbeat.
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking famotidine?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease; or liver disease; trouble or pain swallowing food; vomiting with blood; or bloody or black stools. You may not be able to take famotidine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. The Pepcid RPD orally disintegrating tablets contain 1.05 mg phenylalanine per 20 mg tablet and 2.10 mg phenylalanine per 40 mg oral tablet. Individuals with phenylketonuria may need to monitor their intake of this additive.
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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
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Where can I get more information?
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