Famotidine
The following information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as a medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Famotidine
(fa MOE ti deen)

U.S. Brand Names
Pepcid®; Pepcid® AC Maximum Strength [OTC]; Pepcid® AC [OTC]

Canadian Brand Names
Apo-Famotidine®; Apo-Famotidine® Injectable; Famotidine Omega; Gen-Famotidine; Novo-Famotidine; Nu-Famotidine; Pepcid®; Pepcid® AC; Pepcid® I.V.; ratio-Famotidine; Riva-Famotidine; Ulcidine

Mexican Brand Names
Androtin; Durater; Facidex; Ludex; Pepcidine

Pharmacologic Category
Histamine H2 Antagonist

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
This medicine does not mix well with some medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.

Reasons not to take this medicine
• If you have an allergy to famotidine or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

What is this medicine used for?
• This medicine is used to prevent or treat gastrointestinal ulcers caused by infection.

• This medicine is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease.

• This medicine is used to treat heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach.

• This medicine is used to treat syndromes caused by huge amounts of stomach acid.

How does it work?
• Famotidine prevents symptoms and damage to the gastrointestinal tract caused by stomach acid or infection.

How is it best taken?
• Take this medicine at bedtime if you are taking once a day.

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Shake well before use.

• Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.

Injection:

• This medicine is given as a shot into a vein.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Many times this medicine is taken on an as needed basis.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
• If you need Pepcid® AC for more than 14 days in a row, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
• Headache.

• Diarrhea.

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

What should I monitor?
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Difficulty swallowing or speaking.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe dizziness or passing out.

• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• Chest pain or pressure or fast heartbeat.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?
• Store tablets at room temperature.

• Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

• Store liquid (suspension) at room temperature. Throw away any unused portion after 1 month.

• The injection will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.

General statements
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 12:32:15.0

Modified: 2009-08-26 14:15:02.0

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