Brand Name(s): Pepcid AC, Pepcid Oral
Generic Name Famotidine
What are famotidine tablets or gelcaps?
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.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•an alcohol abuse problem
•bleeding, such as in your stool or any vomiting with blood
•kidney disease
•liver disease
•other chronic illness
•phenylketonuria
•trouble swallowing
•an unusual or allergic reaction to famotidine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
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 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.
What drug(s) may interact with famotidine?
•cefditoren
•cefpodoxime
•cefuroxime
•delavirdine
•itraconazole
•ketoconazole
•metformin
•theophylline
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 side effects may I notice from taking famotidine?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon:
•confusion
•hallucinations
•skin rash, itching
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•agitation, nervousness
•constipation
•diarrhea
•dizziness
•headache
•nausea
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.
Where can I keep my medicine?
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.
| Available at: www.DrugDigest.org | Last Updated:01/11/2005 |
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