Treats stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and conditions that cause the stomach to produce too much stomach acid. Also treats or prevents heartburn and caused by acid indigestion
Brand Names:
Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Heartburn Relief
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to famotidine or to similar medicines such as ranitidine (Zantac®), cimetidine (Tagamet®), or nizatidine (Axid®)
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
If you are using this medicine without a prescription, follow the instructions on the medicine label. Do not use the medicine every day for longer than 2 weeks without asking your doctor.
For treating ulcers, this medicine is usually taken only at bedtime. For preventing heartburn, take the medicine 15 minutes to 1 hour before you eat or drink anything that may cause heartburn. Do not use the medicine more than two times in one day unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. The chewable tablet must be chewed completely before you swallow it.
To use the disintegrating tablets, open the tablet blister pack with dry hands. Put the tablet on your tongue and let it dissolve. Then swallow the medicine with your saliva. No water is needed.
Shake the oral liquid medicine for 5 to 10 seconds before each use. Measure the medicine with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Storage:
Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep the disintegrating tablets in the blister pack until you are ready to use one. Do not freeze the oral liquid. Throw away any unused oral liquid that is more than 1 month old.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also taking itraconazole (Sporanox®) or ketoconazole (Nizoral®). Ask your doctor before using antacids or other acid reducers (Axid®, Tagamet®, Zantac®) while you are taking famotidine.
Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. These things can make your stomach produce extra acid and may keep the medicine from working properly.
Warnings:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, or phenylketonuria (PKU).
Do not give this medicine to anyone under the age of 16 without a doctor's approval.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
