Pepcid
What Is Pepcid (Famotidine)?
Pepcid is the brand name for famotidine, a drug that works to reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces.
It's available as both a prescription medicine and an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine.
Prescription Pepcid is used to treat conditions such as ulcers (sores in the stomach lining or small intestine), gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD (when stomach acid irritates the esophagus, causing heartburn and other problems), and certain tumors in the pancreas or the small intestine (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).
Pepcid sold OTC is used to help prevent and treat heartburn symptoms, such as indigestion or having a sour stomach after eating foods and drinking beverages that disagree with you.
Pepcid belongs to a class of drug called histamine-2 or H2 blockers, which work by reducing the amount of acid your stomach produces.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave Marathon Pharmaceuticals approval to market prescription Pepcid in 1986. Many companies market OTC famotidine.
Pepcid for Dogs and Cats
Although Pepcid is not approved for veterinary use, veterinarians do commonly give the medication to dog and cats to suppress stomach acid if they are producing too much.
In one study, researchers compared famotidine with three other gastric-acid suppressants in 12 healthy beagles. The others included ranitidine (Zantac), pantoprazole (Protonix), and omeprazole (Prilosec). They found that all but ranitidine suppressed acid secretion.
Pepcid Warnings
If you have kidney problems, your doctor may not prescribe or recommend Pepcid. Studies show that Pepcid can have adverse effects on the central nervous system in people who have moderate to severe kidney problems.
Pregnancy and Pepcid
Pepcid is in Pregnancy category B, according to the FDA, which means that animal studies have not found a risk to the developing fetus, but there are no adequate studies of the drug in pregnant women.
Ask your doctor if you can take Pepcid if you are pregnant.
Studies have found that Pepcid is secreted into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, you should discuss whether to discontinue nursing or stop taking the drug with your doctor.
Pepcid Side Effects
Side effects most often reported by Pepcid users are:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
Reports show that these side effects were infrequent, however. In one clinical trial, less than 5 percent of people had headache, and less than 2 percent had dizziness, constipation, or diarrhea from taking Pepcid.
Severe Side Effects of Pepcid
Severe side effects are also rare. Those that have been reported are heart rhythm problems, jaundice, liver enzyme abnormalities, facial swelling, and grand mal seizure.
Pepcid Interactions
Among the drugs that Pepcid may interact with are:
- Atazanavir (Reyataz), an HIV/AIDS drug
- Tizanidine (Zanaflex), a muscle relaxant
- Naproxen (Aleve) and other pain relievers
You should always tell your doctor about any prescription, non-prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), illegal and recreational drugs, herbal remedies, nutritional and dietary supplements, and all other drugs and treatments you're taking.
Pepcid and Alcohol
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Pepcid, as it may be damaging to your stomach.
Pepcid Dosage
Prescription Pepcid comes as a tablet (20 mg or 40 mg) or a liquid to take orally. OTC famotidine is available as a tablet, chewable tablet, or capsule.
Pepcid Overdose
Do not take more prescription Pepcid than recommended. Oral doses of up to 640 mg a day have reportedly been given to adults with conditions involving excess stomach acid with no serious problems. However, you should stick with the doses your doctor recommends.
Do not take more than two tablets of OTC famotidine in a 24-hour period and don't take it for longer than 2 weeks unless your doctor recommends it. If you use OTC famotidine for 2 weeks and still have symptoms of heartburn or indigestion, stop the drug and call your doctor.
Missed Dose of Pepcid
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for the next dose. If it's almost time for the next one, skip the missed dose and resume your normal medication schedule. Do not double up.
Pepcid Pictures
Pepcid FAQ
Q: I take famotidine for GERD every day. Is it safe to continue daily? Are there any long-term side effects to worry about?
A: Famotidine (Pepcid) has been on the market for a long time. It is now OTC approved by the FDA because of its safety. People have used this long term. If you feel this is not working any more you can try Zantac-Pepcid OTC or Prilosec OTC. For more information on GERD you can go to: //www.everydayhealth.com/gerd/guide/ Gerald Levy, RPh
Q: I had been taking Protonix for several years as per my physician after undergoing gall bladder removal. My physician recently had me stop taking the Protonix and told me to take Pepcid for any heartburn or other gastrointestinal problems. I started having ongoing gas problems for the most part but not heartburn. Any recommendations? Is Pepcid the way to go?
Q: Is the Pepcid AC affecting my osteoporosis condition, which is causing me to shrink at an early age? Is it true that taking calcium causes heart attacks? I can't lose my belly due to my conditions. I am petite and need to get rid of it.
Q: I take the over-the-counter acid decreaser famotadine but still need to take one to three Tums throughout the day. What do you recommend?
Q: Does Pepcid cause bloating? I take 15 mg daily.
Q: Will Pepcid AC take care of bloating as well as heartburn?
By Kathleen Doheny | Medically Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD
Latest Update: 2014-12-04
Copyright © 2014 Everyday Health Media, LLC
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