Famotidine (Pepcid AC, Pepcid Oral) - Antihistamine - Stomach Infection Treatment Drug Information : Fine Generics

What Is It Used For?
FAMOTIDINE (Mylanta-AR, Fluxid Orally Disintegrating Tablets, Pepcid, Pepcid AC Gelcaps, Tablets or Chewable Tablets, Pepcid RPD™ Orally Disintegrating Tablets) is a type of antihistamine that blocks the release of stomach acid. Famotidine is used to treat stomach and intestinal ulcers. It can relieve ulcer pain and discomfort. Famotidine is also used to control acid reflux (heartburn). Generic famotidine tablets are available; generic gelcaps are not available.

How Is It Used?
Take famotidine tablets or gelcaps by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets or gelcaps with a drink of water. If you only take famotidine once a day, take it at bedtime. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

If you are taking Fluxid or Pepcid orally disintegrating tablets: Place the tablet on your tongue, allow to dissolve completely and then swallow. You can take the orally disintegrating tablets with or without water.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What should my health care professional know before I take Famotidine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

Are There Possible Side Effects?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon:

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking Famotidine?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your condition does not improve or gets worse. Finish the full course of tablets prescribed, even if you feel better.

Do not self-medicate with aspirin, ibuprofen or other antiinflammatory medicines; these can aggravate your condition.

Do not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol; these increase irritation in your stomach and can lengthen the time it will take for ulcers to heal. Cigarettes and alcohol can also worsen acid reflux or heartburn.

If you need to take an antacid, you should take it at least 1 hour before or 1 hour after famotidine. Famotidine will not be as effective if taken at the same time as an antacid.

If you get black, tarry stools or vomit up what looks like coffee grounds, call your prescriber or health care professional at once. You may have a bleeding ulcer.

If you have phenylketonuria you should not use Pepcid AC chewable tablets as they contain 1.4 mg of phenylalanine per tablet.

What If I Miss A Dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

How Should It Be Stored?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperatures below 40 degrees C (104 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.