Famotidine User Reviews & Ratings
Brand names: Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Heartburn Relief, Zantac 360, Pepcid Oral Suspension, Acid Reducer-Famotidine, Pepcid AC Chewable Tablets, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength Tablets, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength, Acid Reducer Original Strength, Acid Reducer Maximum Strength, Heartburn Relief Maximum Strength, Acid Controller Original Strength, Acid Controller Maximum Strength Acid Control …show all brand names
Famotidine has an average rating of 4.2 out of 10 from a total of 162 reviews on Drugs.com. 33% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 58% reported a negative experience.
Condition | Avg. Rating | Reviews | Compare |
---|---|---|---|
GERD | 105 reviews for GERD | 228 medications | |
Indigestion | 14 reviews for Indigestion | 257 medications | |
Stomach Ulcer | 10 reviews for Stomach Ulcer | 100 medications | |
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Off-label | 8 reviews for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux | 7 medications | |
Urticaria Off-label | 8 reviews for Urticaria | 189 medications | |
Hiatal Hernia Off-label | 6 reviews for Hiatal Hernia | 6 medications | |
Peptic Ulcer | 6 reviews for Peptic Ulcer | 47 medications | |
Allergic Urticaria Off-label | 3 reviews for Allergic Urticaria | 35 medications | |
Duodenal Ulcer | 2 reviews for Duodenal Ulcer | 131 medications | |
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Reviews for Famotidine
- Anonymous
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 6, 2020
For GERD "Just began taking Famotidine for the first time as omeprazole made me sick. So on this, I notice I feel bloated after 12 hours of taking it even though at first it got rid of my acid reflux within like 15 mins. However, I woke up almost in a panic feeling like I was gonna have a heart attack. I was burping excessively to the point my stomach feels in knots. I can't sleep a full 8 hours. I wake up every 2 hours or can't even go back to sleep at all, and I work night shift. I even feel like my muscles wanna just spasm out of control. And I feel like my heartbeat is irregular right now too, it's crazy to think a drug can do this. Much like someone else said here, I'd rather have the acid reflux as this is torture; who would ever make a drug like this. Whatever happened to safety, this stuff is not safe, but DR. has determined this will do more good than cause you harm. THAT'S A LIE. Done with these trash pharmaceutical companies' drugs. I'm gonna try natural remedies."
- Debbie
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 23, 2020
For GERD "This famotidine is the worst medication I have ever taken. I feel so much worse taking this medication than not. Headaches, chest tightening, and anxiety I have never experienced. I will never use this stuff ever again. The side effects are too much to bear. I felt so alone before I read the other reviews."
Frequently asked questions
- Is famotidine safer than omeprazole for heartburn?
- Can you take famotidine long term?
- Can I take omeprazole in the morning and famotidine at night?
- Over the Counter Medication for Pets
- Chris...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 11, 2021
For GERD "Took Pepcid max strength for two months due to really bad heartburn and inflammation of the stomach. I want to tell people this is the worst medication. I’ve been through 8 months of sheer hell after stopping and am still recovering. I’ve had to be put on mood stabilizers. Didn’t sleep for nearly a week straight, anxiety, derealization, intrusive thoughts and impending doom with panic. Please don’t ever take this medication it is pure awfulness in a pill."
- AvaHe...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 26, 2020
For GERD "I was prescribed 20mg Famotidine for GERDS symptoms *dry cough & acid reflux * two times a day. Initially it was very helpful with the cough but I still had the reflux & it seemed to make me have to burp often. In addition, I have tightness in my chest now. I just completed my 3rd week on it & I have random sadness with some suicidal thoughts occurring. I have never had suicidal thoughts ever in my life! I researched side effects & apparently that is a rare one. I'm discontinuing use of the drug & looking into natural remedies."
Are you taking this medicine?
- robbie
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 8, 2020
For GERD "I had to take Famotidine as no Ranitidine is available. Famotidine is a horrible drug, pains in rib cage, back horrific. I have now stopped and am looking for alternatives, I would never take this again."
- Natural...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- March 12, 2021
For Laryngopharyngeal Reflux "ENT doctor prescribe Famotidine on 2/12/21. I feel horrible can not eat, feel like I’m having a heart attack had a panic attack. Chest tightness ,headache anxiety I feel worse. This medication needs to be off the market! Going the Alternative medicine route , new breed of doctors are Pharmaceutical drug pushers. Doctors only treat symptoms, but never the cause. A Doctor is more interested in keeping you sick than curing you. This way, you keep coming back for more treatments."
- Medsr...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 16, 2020
For GERD "Took this medicine for GERD, After 1 week I started getting constipation, anxiety, heart palpitations, and muscle weakness, dizziness, and nausea. I felt bloated all the time and I couldn’t eat. I wouldn’t recommend to anyone."
- jewels
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 23, 2020
For GERD "I have been on omeprazole for about a year and prior to that, pantoprozale because of ibuprofen therapy which caused stomach problems. Doctor said a PPI is necessary. Well, recently the side effects increased on omeprazole and I encountered trapped gas throughout my ribs, intestine and bowels with excruciating pain. Omeprazole lists c diff as a side effect with sepsis and this had me scared. I got off it and am taking the famotidine before bed, 40mg. After one night, I slept with my ongoing meditation and woke up fantastic. The real test was eating, readjusted my food intake to smaller bites. Went all day with very little pain, slight bowel/stomach gurgling and passing the trapped gas. The famotidine allowed the muscles to relax enough for a proper movement. Took with food, saltine crackers and 6oz glass of water. It did make me sleepy but not overbearing. If pantoprozale and omeprazole aren't effective, I recommend famotidine because it works differently."
- THANK...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 9, 2021
For GERD "Thank you for all that have posted your experience with this drug. If there is any bad side effects to medications I will have them, so I read all of these before deciding to take this. I just threw my bottle in the garbage that was prescribed by my Gastro Dr, after reading these HORROR stories. It is so frustrating that these conventional medicine doctors just want to give you a band aid to try and cover up your symptoms (that rarely ever work) instead of getting to the root cause and healing your body. I suppose they are just not trained in this. I am now going the functional medicine route for my digestive issues and will never go back to them after 10 years of no resolve. Unfortunately most insurances do not cover this. Hope my posting helps others as well!"
- NBano
- November 8, 2020
For GERD "I have silent acid reflux meaning hardly ever heartburn but occasionally I do vomit into my throat. Nasty feeling!! My throat and tongue burn most of the time. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS??? It's ruining my life. I've been using Famotidine about a month at night only with very insignificant help from it. Help! I've tried Protonix-- horrible side effects. I take an anxiety now due to the anxious feelings of pain and something stuck in my throat. Had endoscopy, got treated for gastritis etc."
- Midwest...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 4, 2020
For Laryngopharyngeal Reflux "This drug famotidine is horrible! I’ve tried most PPIs and H2 blockers with minimal success. The only thing that worked for my chronic throat clearing was Zantac. I was devastated when they pulled it. I thought famotidine would be a good replacement. I couldn’t have been more wrong. After 4 months of taking this drug, I developed horrible stomach pain with diarrhea. I was ready to call my GI doctor because I thought something was terribly wrong. Along with that, I was extremely agitate and anxious and could not sleep. I had to get a benzo from my primary to help with the agitation and anxiety, I started reading sites like this and stopped this horrible drug. I feel so much better and no longer feel like I’m going crazy,"
- Joe
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- June 26, 2020
For GERD "famotidine is awesome! I would highly recommend it. I have been using it for more than a year and recently I stopped it for 2 weeks and felt awful but not any worse than when I wasn't taking it several years ago. After restarting it I immediately felt better. It helps my GERD, heartburn, and I can breathe better (probably due to it being an H2 antihistamine) and it helps my anxiety. Overall, I would highly recommend it."
- Val
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- February 8, 2022
For GERD "I have been having reflux problems for 2 years. After gallbladder removal my GP started me on Famitodine!! My problem was getting worse but never thought it could be this drug, then I came across this site and all the patients that had been taking it , and I absolutely agree with you all this drug is awful!! Side effects of headaches, fatigue, constipation, depression and muscle spasm cramps. So to all of you that have suffered with this poisoning drug NEVER EVER EVER AGAIN. It is my first day stopping them so probably in for a rough ride not that I care as long as these get out my system they WANT BANNING!!!!!!"
- Anonymous
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 21, 2021
For GERD "Had to call 111. Had terrible anxiety, panic attacks etc. Felt worse than I have ever felt in my life. Felt like I was dying. My head was all over the place, had no energy, couldn't concentrate. My doctor gave me Diazepam to help with panic attacks. I came off the Famatidine and after 3 days of torture I am starting to feel a little better. This medication should be withdrawn as soon as possible to stop anyone else going through the same drama!"
- no...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 2, 2020
For GERD "I have possible GERD, definite excessive acid in stomach and I am furious that my GI dr prescribed this famotidine, considering most of the side effects are what I'm taking protonix for. I took two tablets within three days of each other. The first one made me almost instantly nauseous and constipated, along with excessive fatigue, feeling like I have the flu, and acid reflux. I tried it one more time two days ago and I have abdominal pain so bad I spend most of the day in bed crying. It can also elevate liver enzymes, I have MCAS and mine are already elevated. I feel like it is really damaging me and I'm going to the ER tomorrow because I don't know what else to do. This is the worst drug I have ever experienced."
- Deb
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- March 19, 2020
For GERD "Finally realized this med famotidine was causing me to wake up immediately after falling asleep, with my heart racing, caused extreme insomnia which I have never had at all. It did help reflux but I will never take it again."
- Jcano
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 24, 2020
For GERD "I rather just have the heartburn than take famotidine. Half the side effects this med can cause that you see on this site, I got them! This medication made me weak, caused me muscle pain, gave me headaches and worsened my anxiety. My doctor is very good, but I'm disappointed he gave me this. I'll stick to Tums or something. Famo is a mess. Does more harm than good."
- Jay
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- April 17, 2021
For GERD "I have laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) symptoms and this drug truly helps all the symptoms every time I take it which is why I’m a bit disappointed that I don’t plan to take it anymore. The side effects it does to me are horrible, it’s honestly worse than the reflux itself! I get extreme anxiety, rapid heart-rate, and the cherry on top, muscle spasms. I have night time reflux so I used to take these at night, and one night I took one and I couldn’t sleep all night. I got anxiety from it + I would have these muscle spasms that felt like earthquakes. 10/10 for relieving acid-reflux symptoms, 0/10 for its side effects. It could be different for everyone so if you got no side effects, bravo. But look out for those extreme side effects because I felt like I was going to die due to the anxiety + muscle spasms it gave me."
- TD Si...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- April 28, 2023
For GERD "Started taking this medication about a month ago on and off to help with acid reflux. I started having insomnia, headaches, and numbness in my extremities. About two weeks in I had horrible anxiety, panic attacks, upset stomach, and ringing in my ears. Then about a week ago I took two in one day due to horrible stomach cramping. My life went to complete hell. That night the burning in my face and arms and legs started along with the worst anxiety and panic attacks I have ever had. I have not been able to get a full night's sleep in over a week. I had every symptom imaginable. I have been to the ER 3 times. Heart racing, blood pressure extremely high. I truly think that I am going to die. This poison should never be on the market. I am waiting for the symptoms to dissipate. If anyone can offer any advice on how long it takes for this to get out of my system I would greatly appreciate it."
- MarcusH
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 24, 2021
For GERD "Pepcid has made my GERD symptoms way way worse after taking it I feel under my left rib this pain that gets worse as you breathe in!! I’ve taken it at 11:30pm and it is now 3am and I’m still up!!! And still feeling a little bit of the pain. Will never ever ever ever take this stuff again this is the worse drug you can take and I suggest going the natural route. I only took it because I was having a little heartburn from something I ate for dinner but I wish I didn’t take it and just dealt with the heartburn because it would’ve been 100x easier than this."
- Matt
- April 30, 2020
For GERD "I had gotten over a cold and my lungs felt clogged. I had described the problem to my doctor on a virtual visit because it had been going on for 3 weeks. I had started taking allergy medicine a few days before, and my condition started clearing up, but wanted to check with my doctor either way. He said it was reflux and prescribed Famotidine to me. I had never had stomach problems before this. 1 took it for 10 days, and within a week, my stomach was twisted in knots and I got heartburn. The medicine seemed to create the problem that it was meant to stop. My lungs eventually cleared up, but I am left with reflux. Don’t take it."
- Piano...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 17, 2021
For Hiatal Hernia "Twenty-four hours after beginning 40mg famotidine daily doses, woke up with stabbing, burning pain in my shoulder joints and tendons, along with lower back stabbing pain and pain in the tendons of my hip joints. Stopped medication after six days. Pain did not cease. Three weeks later, I am now under another doctor's care for the debilitating pain brought on by this medication."
- BRabbit
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 2, 2020
For Laryngopharyngeal Reflux "I've been struggling with acid reflux but NO heartburn due to the quarantine - overeating and lack of exercise. I had never had acid reflux in my life. I was recommended to take famotidine 20 mg twice a day for 30 days. It did relieve constant symptoms and about four days in I felt almost normal. I kept taking the drug just in case (didn't want to quit at day 5). However, I think it is causing more harm than good. I am bloated, hungry but unable to eat, weird nausea, cough, and slight reflux. I'm going to stop taking this and see if my bodies balance will return to normal. So while it was effective, I think it also has made me sick."
- Tmano
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 14, 2020
For Indigestion "The most awful drug I ever taken I started it 1 week ago I feel like I'm having the flu a lot of diarrhea can't breath . I feel like I'm going to pass out a lot of anxiety attacks. I don't recommend this to anybody "
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
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Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Heartburn Relief, Pepcid Oral Suspension, Pepcid AC Chewable Tablets
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Pepcid, Pepcid Oral Suspension, Acid Controller Maximum Strength, Acid Controller Original Strength, ... +2 more
For GERD "So this drug is the worst! I DO NOT recommend it. The second I take it, I notice issues swallowing, excessive mucus, and difficulty breathing to the point that I’ve been to the ER twice! I’m just glad I noticed it was from this as doctors do not realize over-the-counter drugs can cause severe side effects. Other fun side effects listed under “rare” that I had are: chills, anxiety, trouble sleeping, hallucinations, irritability, restlessness, dizziness, weakness. This SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE MARKET, ESPECIALLY AS AN OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUG."