Famotidine, sold under the brand name Pepcid among others, is a histamine-2 blocker that works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces. Famotidine is used to treat and prevent ulcers in the stomach and intestines. It also treats conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Over-the-counter famotidine is used to prevent and treat heartburn due to acid indigestion and sour stomach caused by eating or drinking certain foods or drinks. Famotidine is not a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
How should this medicine be used?
Prescription famotidine comes as a tablet and a suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken once daily at bedtime or two to four times a day. Over-the-counter famotidine comes as a tablet, a chewable tablet, and a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day. To prevent symptoms, it is taken 15 to 60 minutes before eating foods or drinking drinks that may cause heartburn. Follow the directions on your prescription or the package label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take famotidine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often or for a longer time than prescribed by your doctor.
Shake the liquid well for 5 to 10 seconds before each use to mix the medicine evenly. Swallow the tablets and capsules with a full glass of water.
Thoroughly chew the chewable tablets before swallowing them. Swallow the chewed tablet with a full glass of water.
Do not take more than two tablets, capsules, or chewable tablets of over-the-counter famotidine in 24 hours and do not take over-the-counter famotidine for longer than 2 weeks unless your doctor tells you that you should. If symptoms of heartburn, acid indigestion, or sour stomach last longer than 2 weeks, stop taking over-the-counter famotidine and call your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Why is famotidine taken at night?
Studies have shown that famotidine is able to keep intragastric pH above 4 units during almost 50% of the whole 24-hour period. Results from other studies also confirm that famotidine is a powerful and long-acting H2 blocker that relieves gastric acidity during the night and morning hours when administered as a single bedtime dose of 40 mg.
How long before bed should I take famotidine?
Studies indicate that taking a 10 mg dose of famotidine 1 hour before an evening meal appears to be a successful and well tolerated strategy for preventing post-prandial heartburn and avoiding the associated interference with sleep.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Famotidine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- dizziness
- constipation
- diarrhea
- fussiness (in babies who take famotidine)
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them call your doctor immediately:
- hives
- skin rash
- itching
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- hoarseness
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
Famotidine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
