Famotidine and Constipation: What Users Say

• Med...
• 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 it to anyone."

• 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 famotidine! My problem was getting worse, but I 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 I'm probably in for a rough ride, not that I care as long as these get out of my system. They WANT BANNING!!"

• no...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2020

For GERD "I have possible GERD, definite excessive acid in the stomach, and I am furious that my GI doctor 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 that 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."

• Edd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2021

For GERD "PPI gave me panic attacks, all of them, so I took this pathetic medicine, famotidine, for almost 2 months daily. Initially, I felt bloated, burping 24/7; burning in lower abdomen and very foul-smelling flatus. I never had constipation, but after starting famotidine, I was badly constipated. Then it affected my mind gradually; anxiety kicked in; insomnia with twitching of thigh muscles; I was anxious 24/7 with depressive and suicidal thoughts, as if life is all sad and dark, panic attacks as if I am having a heart attack and it's all over. One day, I skipped this med, and that day, I felt better and realized it was famotidine! So I stopped it and realized that my insomnia got better and my twitching of muscles stopped. Anxiety gradually lowered... my personal experience: both PPI and famotidine suck."

• Anonymous
• September 20, 2022

For GERD "Pepcid is literally the spawn of Satan. I was prescribed Pepcid twice a day every day for acid reflux/sour mouth. I never felt WORSE in the following categories: one-sided headache/migraines, dizzy, weak, fatigued, depressed, anxious, panicked, crying episodes, joint pain, constipation, swallowing difficulties, chest pain, heart palpitations. I want to emphasize that I NEVER experienced such bad headaches, dizziness, weakness, and joint pain prior to taking Pepcid. I SOMETIMES experience crying episodes, constipation, and depression before/during my menstrual cycles. I took Pepcid even when I wasn't on my period, and I've ruled out those symptoms. The side effects were so bad to the point that I called out at my NEW job, and I really don't want to call out sick. It also does NOT help that I took Pepcid while on Lexapro. As for my acid reflux, there are no improvements in my sour mouth, but I'm not sure if I've been taking it for long enough. DO NOT TAKE THIS PILL!!!!!"

• Ren...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 2, 2022

For GERD "I came off this drug because my stomach was getting worse and all the side effects that come with it: constipation, bloated stomach, aching throughout my body, fatigue was so bad I can hardly walk. My doctor told me I needed to take them to protect my stomach (she was wrong). I’m no doctor but I know my body!! This drug has made me feel so ill it wants banning. They might as well tell you to keep giving yourself a dose of poison every day. Never, ever, ever, ever again. Do not take this, it is absolutely horrendous."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2021

For GERD "I haven’t slept in 2 days due to my 7-week-old hitting the 1-week mark with this medication in her system. I truly felt like she was going to die. I couldn’t figure it out. I would have never thought in a million years it was this until all of the symptoms matched with hers, and I give her CLEAN breast milk. I stopped the medicine immediately, and the next day I had a whole new baby. She couldn’t sleep longer than 20 minutes at a time. Intense rubbing of her mouth, so I thought she was getting a tooth or something! Crying like I’ve never heard before. Absolutely terrifying. She stopped smiling the last couple of days she was on it. Today she’s back to her smiley self. Oh, and she’s insanely constipated. Now you know! Stay away."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2019

Famotidine "I was put on Pepcid for mast cell activation syndrome, and it caused low mood, constipation, and heartburn, which I did not have before taking. I need the H2 for histamine blockage, Pepcid is not the one to help me."

• Ala...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2025

For GERD "As someone who has always had issues with sleep, I noticed in the past month or so that taking this medication my sleep condition got really bad, even though the drug had helped stomach issues. Constipation, bad flatulence, and terrible insomnia. The drug is working, but struggling to deal with the lack of sleep. As one user said, it’s like being on speed or something, then trying to sleep. Not great."

• okl...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 27, 2013

Famotidine for GERD "I took Pepcid and Pepcid AC for years, but like all gas pills, one pill could make my stools solid 'constipation,' like for a couple of days."