Pepcid (Famotidine)

Famotidine is used for:

Treating and preventing ulcers; treating and preventing heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach. It is also used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), conditions that cause increased acid secretion, and esophagitis. It also may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Famotidine is an H₂ (histamine) blocker. It reduces 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 kidney or liver problems

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 with a glass of water.
• Take Famotidine at least 2 hours before or after taking cephalosporins (eg, cephalexin), itraconazole, or ketoconazole.
• Ask your doctor before taking Famotidine with other acid reducers (antacids).
• If a dose is missed, 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 this medicine. Using Famotidine alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
• Notify your doctor if you have any symptoms of a bleeding ulcer, such as black, tarry stools or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
• If pain continues or you need to take Famotidine 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 may be performed to monitor your progress. 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.
• 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); bloody or black stools; convulsions (seizures); difficulty or pain upon swallowing.