FAMOTIDINE

FAMOTIDINE
Pepcid® AC [OTC]; Pepcid®

DOSING IN ADULTS
Esophagitis and accompanying symptoms due to GERD:  20 mg or 40 mg twice daily for up to 12 weeks
Duodenal ulcer: Acute therapy: 40 mg/day at bedtime for 4-8 weeks; maintenance therapy: 20 mg/day at bedtime
GERD:  20 mg twice daily for 6 weeks
Heartburn, indigestion, sour stomach: OTC labeling: 10-20 mg every 12 hours; dose may be taken 15-60 minutes before eating foods known to cause heartburn

DOSING IN  RENAL IMPAIRMENT Administer 50% of dose or increase the dosing interval to every 36-48 hours

DOSAGE FORMS 

  Pepcid® AC: 10 mg
Powder for oral suspension:
  Pepcid®: 40 mg/5 mL (50 mL) [contains sodium benzoate; cherry-banana-mint flavor]
Tablet: 10 mg [OTC], 20 mg, 40 mg
  Pepcid®: 20 mg, 40 mg

ADMINISTRATION

 May be taken with or without food.

SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE REACTIONS

Headache
Dizziness
Diarrhea
Agranulocytosis
Bronchospasm
Rash
Seizure

CONTRAINDICATIONS — Hypersensitivity to famotidine, other H2 antagonists, or any component of the formulation

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Antifungal agents (azole derivatives, systemic): Histamine H2 antagonists may decrease the absorption of azole antifungal.
Atazanavir: Histamine H2 antagonists may decrease the absorption of atazanavir.
Cefpodoxime: Histamine H2 antagonists may decrease the absorption of cefpodoxime; separate oral doses by at least 2 hours.
Cefuroxime: Histamine H2 antagonists may decrease the absorption of cefuroxime; separate oral doses by at least 2 hours.
Cyclosporine: Histamine H2 antagonists may increase the serum concentration of cyclosporine; monitor.
Iron Salts: Histamine H2 antagonists may decrease the absorption of iron salts.

PREGNANCY RISK FACTOR — B

LACTATION — Enters breast milk/not recommended.