General information
Pronunciation
Type: OTC / Prescription
Uses
What should I know before taking this drug?
Precautions
Adverse reactions
Storage
Additional information if any
Type: OTC / Prescription
Famotidine is a prescription drug available from your pharmacy store only with the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner.
Famotidine is H2 histamine receptor blocker. Famotidine works by inhibiting the production of acid in the stomach.
Common uses of famotidine
- Famotidine is used in the treatment of Ulcer
- Zollinger Ellison syndrome
- Take the famotidine tablets as directed by your doctor by mouth with or with out food with glass of water. If you do not understand the instructions on the prescription ask your pharmacist to explain them to you.
- Take the famotidine half an hour before the food or drink which causes heartburn.
- Do not take more than two tablets in a day and do not use more than 2 weeks as an over the counter (OTC) medication. If you do not have a relief even after 2 weeks stops the medication and consults your doctor.
Children: Famotidine can be used in children 1 to 16 years of age.
Older people: Famotidine should be cautiously in older people as their renal function decrease when they become older. Dosage adjustment may be required if they have severe renal impairment.
Pregnant women: famotidine belongs to FDA pregnancy category B. This means that famotidine is safe during pregnancy and is not expected to cause any harm to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning for conception.
Lactating women: It is not known whether famotidine passes into breast milk or if it could harm the baby. Do not take famotidine with out first talking to doctor if you are breast feeding baby.
Other: Famotidine is mostly eliminated by the kidneys, adverse effects may become worse in patients with impaired renal function.
The following are the side effects of famotidine
Store famotidine at room temp (15 – 30 degrees C). Avoid excessive heat, moisture or direct sunlight, never store in the bathroom.
Keep it out of reach of children. Make sure that any leftover portion is disposed off safely.
- Famotidine may cause drowsiness, avoid the activities which you require to be alert.
- Avoid drinking alcohol as it worsen the gastric condition.
- Avoid taking other H2 receptor blockers like ranitidine, nizatidine unless your doctor tells to take it.
It is imp to read manufacturing packaging instruction carefully if available and always do not hesitate to consult pharmacist or physician for any additional information.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: November 19,201