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Famotidine
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Description
Famotidine is an anti-ulcer medicine that is used to treat stomach and intestine ulcers and reflux diseases (condition in which the stomach acid flows back into the food pipe). It is also used to treat and prevent indigestion, heartburn, and other acidity related symptoms. It works by decreasing the production of acid in your stomach.
Famotidine can have side effects like headache, weakness, tiredness, diarrhoea or constipation, pain at injection site etc. These side effects usually resolve on their own. However, consult your doctor if these side effects worsens for remain for a long time. This medicine can cause dizziness, therefore avoid activities that require mental focus like driving or operating machines.
Famotidine oral form should be is taken before a meal. The dose and duration of treatment will be decided by your doctor based on your condition. Try taking this medicine at the same time every day to maintain a constant level of the medicine in your blood. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor as your symptoms could come back or become more severe. The injection form is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic.
Famotidine is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have kidney problems or any other health conditions. Also, inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicines as they can interact with each other and cause side effects. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Famotidine
Diarrhoea
Itching
Weakness
Dizziness
Black or tarry stools
Muscle or joint pain
Constipation
Headache
Tiredness
Dry mouth
Uses of Famotidine
What is it prescribed for?
Gastric and duodenal ulcers
Gastric and duodenal ulcers are sores in the lining of your stomach and duodenum (the beginning of the small intestine). Famotidine is used to treat ulcers in the stomach and small intestine. It is also used to prevent ulcers caused by stress.
Gastroesophagal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the acid in your stomach persistently flows back into your food pipe. Famotidine is used in the treatment of GERD.
Erosive Esophagitis
Erosive esophagitis is irritation and swelling of the lining of the oesophagus (tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach) caused due to an excess amount of acid secretion. Famotidine is used in the treatment of Erosive Esophagitis.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is a rare condition in which tumours are formed in the pancreas (an organ located behind the stomach) and duodenum (upper part of the small intestine). These tumours cause excess acid production in your stomach. Famotidine is used to reduce the excessive amount of acid produced in the stomach due to tumours.
Dyspepsia
Dyspepsia, also known as indigestion, refers to discomfort or pain that occurs in the upper abdomen. Famotidine relieves indigestion and acidity due to excess acid production in your stomach.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The effect of Famotidine can be observed within 1 hour after an oral administration. This medicine will start working immediately after an intravenous dose.Duration of effect
The effect of Famotidine lasts for an average duration of 10 to 12 hours after oral administration.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit forming tendency was reported for Famotidine.Usage in pregnancy?
If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking Famotidine due to lack of safety data in humans. However, animal studies indicate that this medicine does not harm your foetus.Usage while breast-feeding?
Famotidine is not recommended while breastfeeding as it passes into breastmilk which might affect your baby. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Famotidine is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as skin rashes, itching/swelling (anywhere in your body), hives (itchy, painful eruptions that sting), dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking Famotidine due to lack of safety data in humans. However, animal studies indicate that this medicine does not harm your foetus.
Breast-feeding
Famotidine is not recommended while breastfeeding as it passes into breastmilk which might affect your baby. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Impaired kidney function
Famotidine is eliminated from the body by your kidneys via urine. This medicine should be used with caution if you have kidney problems as a diseased kidney will not be able to filter the medicine properly. This may lead to the accumulation of the medicine and increase the risk of side effects. Your doctor may recommend dose adjustments based on your condition.
Effect on central nervous system
Famotidine may cause central nervous system side effects such as agitation, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, disorientation, lethargy, etc., especially if you have moderate to severe kidney problems or in elderly people. Hence, your doctor will closely monitor your clinical condition while taking this medicine. Your doctor may recommend dose adjustments based on your condition.
Driving or operating machines
Famotidine may cause dizziness and headache. Hence, avoid driving vehicles or operating machines if you experience these symptoms.
Missed Dose
Oral forms: If you forget to take a dose of Famotidine, take the missed dose of as soon as you remember. If it is time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Injection: As Famotidine is administered in a hospital setting, the likelihood of missing a dose is very less.
Overdose
Oral forms: Never take more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose of Famotidine.
Injection: As Famotidine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by your doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Glipizide
Ketoconazole
Atazanavir
Disease interactions
Gastro-intestinal bleeding
Famotidine is not recommended for use if you have severe gastrointestinal bleeding (bleeding in the stomach and/or small intestine). It might be a serious condition and proper diagnosis may be necessary. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms like blood in the vomit, or bloody or black stool.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral forms: Take Famotidine as instructed by your doctor. Avoid taking more or less than the prescribed dose. Take this medicine at the same time every day for the ease of remembering.
Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor because it may delay healing of the ulcer.
Consult your doctor if your symptoms do not improve within few weeks or it worsens.
Injection: Famotidine injection should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting. Report any undesirable side effects to your doctor promptly.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Famotidine works by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach. This helps to relieve symptoms like heartburn, inability to swallow food, stomach pain, indigestion, vomiting, etc.
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Legal Status
Classification
Category
H2 antagonists, Anti-Ulcer Agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 September 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Famotidine: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 6 September 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - FAMOTIDINE- famotidine injection, solution. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 September 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - FAMOTIDINE for suspension. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 September 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Famotidine 20mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 September 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 15 Sep 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.