Famotidine

💊 What is Famotidine used for?

• •Active duodenal ulcer (an ulcer in the first part of the small intestine)
• •Active gastric ulcer (an ulcer in the stomach)
• •Symptomatic nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• •Erosive esophagitis due to GERD, diagnosed by biopsy
• •In adults: pathological hypersecretory conditions, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and multiple endocrine neoplasias
• •In adults: reducing the risk of duodenal ulcer coming back

How it works

The label describes famotidine as a histamine-2 (H2) receptor antagonist. It reduces stomach acid, which is why the label notes it can lower acidity in the stomach.

How it is usually taken

• •The label says famotidine is taken once daily before bedtime, or twice daily in the morning and before bedtime. It may be taken with or without food. It may also be given with antacids. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Comes as

• •20 mg tablets: round, white to off-white film-coated tablets, marked with a "V" on one side and "15" on the other
• •40 mg tablets: round, white to off-white film-coated tablets, marked with a "V" on one side and "45" on the other

⚠️ Famotidine side effects

🛑 Who should not take Famotidine, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You have a history of serious hypersensitivity reactions (such as anaphylaxis) to famotidine or to other histamine-2 (H2) receptor antagonists.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your prescriber or pharmacist if you have had a serious allergic reaction to famotidine or other H2 receptor blockers.
• •The label notes a higher risk of confusion, seizures, and heart rhythm changes (QT prolongation) in older adults and in people with moderate or severe kidney problems. Dose adjustments may be needed in kidney impairment.
• •The label says absence of stomach symptoms does not rule out stomach cancer, so your provider may evaluate you before starting treatment.
• •The label says to consider evaluation for stomach cancer if the response to treatment is poor or symptoms return early after finishing treatment.
• •The label says these tablets are not recommended for children weighing less than 40 kg, because the lowest strength exceeds the recommended dose for them.

🔀 Famotidine with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •Medicines that need stomach acid to be absorbed: famotidine can reduce how well they work. The label says famotidine is not recommended with dasatinib, delavirdine, cefditoren, and fosamprenavir. Other listed medicines, such as atazanavir, erlotinib, ketoconazole, itraconazole, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, nilotinib, and rilpivirine, have their own administration instructions.
• •Tizanidine: the label says to avoid using it with famotidine if possible, because blood levels of tizanidine may increase substantially. If use is necessary, the label says to monitor for low blood pressure, slow heart rate, or excessive drowsiness.
• •Antacids: the label says famotidine may be given with antacids.

Alcohol and food

The label says famotidine may be taken with or without food. The label does not mention alcohol.

🤰 Famotidine in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says there are not enough data to determine whether H2 blockers, including famotidine, cause major birth defects, miscarriage, or other harm in pregnant women. Animal studies showed no significant evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus. Talk with your prescriber about any questions about pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

The label does not say.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

The label does not say.

If a dose is missed

The label does not say.

If too much is taken

The label says the effects of an overdose are similar to the side effects seen at recommended doses. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive: unabsorbed material is removed from the stomach and intestines, the patient is monitored, and supportive care is given. Famotidine is removed by hemodialysis, though the label notes there is limited experience with this.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Famotidine

• Which of my symptoms is this medicine meant to treat, and how long will I take it?
• Should I take this once a day at bedtime, or twice a day in the morning and at bedtime?
• Does my kidney function or age mean I should be watched for confusion or heart rhythm changes?
• Do any of my other medicines need stomach acid to be absorbed, or interact with famotidine or tizanidine?
• Do I need to be checked for stomach cancer before I start, or if my symptoms do not improve?
• What should I do if I have new confusion, seizures, palpitations, or fainting while taking this?

❓ Famotidine: frequently asked questions