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famotidine (oral/injection)

Pronunciation: fam OH ti deen

Brand: Heartburn Relief, Leader Acid Reducer, Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength, Zantac 360

Famotidine

slide 1 of 22, Famotidine,

10 mg, round, orange, imprinted with TEVA, 2662

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Famotidine

slide 2 of 22, Famotidine,

20 mg, round, beige, imprinted with TEVA, 5728

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Famotidine

slide 3 of 22, Famotidine,

40 mg, round, tan, imprinted with TEVA, 5729

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Famotidine

slide 4 of 22, Famotidine,

20 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with M F1

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Famotidine

slide 5 of 22, Famotidine,

40 mg, round, green, imprinted with M F2

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Heartburn Relief

slide 6 of 22, Heartburn Relief,

20 mg, capsule, white, imprinted with L194

Image of Heartburn Relief
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Famotidine

slide 7 of 22, Famotidine,

20 mg, round, white, imprinted with CTI 121

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Famotidine

slide 8 of 22, Famotidine,

40 mg, round, tan, imprinted with TEVA, 5729

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Famotidine

slide 9 of 22, Famotidine,

20 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with M F1

Image of Famotidine
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Famotidine

slide 10 of 22, Famotidine,

20 mg, round, white, imprinted with CTI 121

Image of Famotidine
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Famotidine

slide 11 of 22, Famotidine,

40 mg, round, white, imprinted with CTI 122

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Famotidine

slide 12 of 22, Famotidine,

20 mg, round, beige, imprinted with W 936

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Famotidine

slide 13 of 22, Famotidine,

40 mg, round, white, imprinted with W 937

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Pepcid AC Maximum Strength

slide 14 of 22, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength,

20 mg, white, imprinted with PAC 20

Image of Pepcid AC Maximum Strength
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Famotidine

slide 15 of 22, Famotidine,

20 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with C 119

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Famotidine

slide 16 of 22, Famotidine,

20 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with C 119

Image of Famotidine
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Famotidine

slide 17 of 22, Famotidine,

20 mg, round, beige, imprinted with 93, 896

Image of Famotidine
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Famotidine

slide 18 of 22, Famotidine,

20 mg, round, white, imprinted with LI94

Image of Famotidine
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Famotidine

slide 19 of 22, Famotidine,

40 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with C 120

Image of Famotidine
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Famotidine

slide 20 of 22, Famotidine,

40 mg, round, beige, imprinted with 93, 897

Image of Famotidine
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Pepcid

slide 21 of 22, Pepcid,

20 mg, square, peach, imprinted with PEPCID, MSD 963

Image of Pepcid
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Pepcid

slide 22 of 22, Pepcid,

40 mg, square, orange, imprinted with PEPCID, MSD 964

Image of Pepcid
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What is the most important information I should know about famotidine?

Follow all directions on the label and package. Use exactly as directed.

What is famotidine?

Famotidine is used to treat and prevent ulcers in the stomach and intestines. It also treats conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Famotidine also treats gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions in which acid backs up from the stomach into the esophagus, causing heartburn.

The Zantac 360 brand of this medicine does not contain ranitidine, a medicine that was withdrawn from market in the United States.

Famotidine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking famotidine?

Heartburn can feel like a heart attack. Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain that spreads to your jaw or shoulder.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to famotidine or similar medicines such as ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), or nizatidine (Axid).

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have:

  • kidney disease;
  • liver disease;
  • cancer stomach; or
  • long QT syndrome (in you or a family member).

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How should I take famotidine?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Famotidine oral is taken by mouth.

Famotidine injection is given in a vein if you are unable to take the medicine by mouth.

You may take famotidine oral with or without food.

Measure liquid medicine with the supplied syringe or a dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Most ulcers heal within 4 weeks of famotidine treatment, but it may take up to 8 weeks of using this medicine before your ulcer heals. Keep using the medication as directed.

Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with famotidine does not improve, or if it gets worse while using famotidine.

Your treatment may also include changes in diet or lifestyle habits. Follow all instructions of your doctor or dietitian.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not allow the liquid medicine to freeze.

Throw away any unused famotidine liquid that is older than 30 days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking famotidine?

Drinking alcohol may increase the risk of damage to your stomach.

Avoid taking other stomach acid reducers unless your doctor has told you to. However, you may take an antacid (such as Maalox, Mylanta, Gaviscon, Milk of Magnesia, Rolaids, or Tums) with famotidine.

What are the possible side effects of famotidine?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using famotidine and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • confusion, hallucinations, agitation, lack of energy;
  • a seizure;
  • fast or pounding heartbeats, sudden dizziness (like you might pass out); or
  • unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

Some side effects may be more likely in older adults and in people who have severe kidney disease.

Common side effects may include:

  • headache;
  • dizziness; or
  • constipation or diarrhea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect famotidine?

Famotidine oral can make it harder for your body to absorb other medicines you take by mouth. Tell your doctor if you are taking:

  • cefditoren;
  • dasatinib;
  • delavirdine;
  • fosamprenavir; or
  • tizanidine (if you are taking famotidine liquid).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect famotidine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about famotidine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 18.01. Revision date: 6/10/2021.

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