Famotidine

Generic Name: Famotidine Consumer Strength Tablets (fa-MOE-tih-deen)
Brand Name: Examples include Pepcid AC and Pepcid AC Maximum Strength Tablets

Famotidine is used for:

Treating heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach. It is also used for preventing heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach brought on by eating or drinking certain foods and beverages.

Famotidine is an H₂ (histamine) blocker. It works by reducing stomach acid by blocking one of the chemicals (histamine) that stimulates the release of acid into the stomach.

Do NOT use Famotidine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Famotidine or other acid reducers (H₂ blockers)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Famotidine:

Some medical conditions may interact with Famotidine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
• if you have trouble swallowing or kidney or liver disease

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Famotidine. However, no specific interactions with Famotidine are known at this time.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Famotidine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Famotidine:

Use Famotidine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Famotidine may be taken with or without food.
• Take Famotidine at least 2 hours before or after taking cephalosporins (eg, cephalexin), itraconazole, or ketoconazole.
• To relieve symptoms of heartburn, swallow 1 tablet with a glass of water.
• To prevent symptoms, swallow 1 tablet with a glass of water at any time from 10 to 60 minutes before eating food or drinking beverages that cause heartburn.
• Do not take more than 2 tablets in a 24-hour period unless directed by your health care provider.
• If you miss a dose of Famotidine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Famotidine.

Important safety information:

• Famotidine may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Famotidine. Using Famotidine alone, with a certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• If pain continues or you need to take this product for more than 14 days for heartburn symptoms, stop use and contact your doctor.
• You may need to make significant diet and lifestyle changes to help treat and prevent ulcers and other digestive problems, including stress-reduction programs, exercise, and diet changes.
• LAB TESTS, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood count, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Famotidine with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Famotidine is not recommended for use in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Famotidine if you are pregnant. If you suspect that you could be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Famotidine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Famotidine:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; headache.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); continuing stomach pain; convulsions (seizures).

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Famotidine:

Store Famotidine at room temperature between 68 and 86 degrees F (20 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Famotidine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Famotidine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Famotidine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Famotidine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.