Famotidine Oral Suspension
Generic name: Famotidine Oral Suspension [ fa-MOE-ti-deen ]
Brand name: Pepcid Oral Suspension
Drug class: H2 antagonists
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 1, 2024.
Uses of Famotidine Oral Suspension:
- It is used to treat or prevent GI (gastrointestinal) ulcers.
- It is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD; acid reflux).
- It is used to treat heartburn and sour stomach.
- It is used to treat syndromes caused by lots of stomach acid.
- It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Famotidine Oral Suspension?
- If you have an allergy to famotidine or any other part of famotidine oral suspension.
- If you are allergic to famotidine oral suspension; any part of famotidine oral suspension; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have any of these health problems: Black or bloody stools; heartburn with light-headedness, sweating, or dizziness; chest pain; shoulder pain with shortness of breath; pain that spreads to the arms, neck, or shoulders; light-headedness; sweating a lot; throwing up blood; or trouble or pain swallowing food.
- If you are taking any of these drugs: Cefditoren, dasatinib, delavirdine, or fosamprenavir.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with famotidine oral suspension.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take famotidine oral suspension with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Famotidine Oral Suspension?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take famotidine oral suspension. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- If you have kidney problems or are elderly, talk with your doctor. Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there); seizures; and feeling agitated, confused, sluggish, or out of sorts have happened in people with kidney problems and in older people.
- This medicine may prevent other drugs taken by mouth from getting into the body. If you take other drugs by mouth, you may need to take them at some other time than famotidine oral suspension. Talk with your doctor.
- If you are 65 or older, use famotidine oral suspension with care. You could have more side effects.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using famotidine oral suspension while you are pregnant.
- Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.
How is this medicine (Famotidine Oral Suspension) best taken?
Use famotidine oral suspension as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- Take with or without food.
- Ask your doctor before you take antacids with famotidine oral suspension.
- Shake well before use.
- Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with famotidine oral suspension. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure famotidine oral suspension.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- If you take famotidine oral suspension on a regular basis, take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
- Many times famotidine oral suspension is taken on an as needed basis. Do not take more often than told by the doctor.
Related/similar drugs
omeprazole, famotidine, pantoprazole, esomeprazole, sucralfate, Protonix, Nexium, lansoprazole, ranitidine, Pepcid
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Dizziness or passing out.
- A fast heartbeat.
- A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
What are some other side effects of Famotidine Oral Suspension?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out Famotidine Oral Suspension?
- Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Store at room temperature.
- Throw away any part not used after 1 month.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about famotidine oral suspension, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
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?
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- Drug class: H2 antagonists
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Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.