Famotidine is a H-2 blocker used to prevent and treat ulcers in the stomach and intestines. It can also treat Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome and gastroesophageal disease. Famotidine works by blocking integral membrane proteins which stimulate gastric acid secretion. In the following article we discuss uses, dosage and side effects of famotidine. We also answer the questions how does famotidine work and what are the warnings of famotidine?
What Is Famotidine?
Famotidine is a histamine-2 blocker used to treat and prevent ulcers in the stomach and intestines. It can also help with conditions in the stomach which produce too much acid, including Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome.
Famotidine Brand Name
Famotidine is available as an oral tablet as a generic drug and as the brand name drug Pepcid. Prescription famotidine is also available as an injectable solution and liquid suspension.
Uses Of Famotidine
Famotidine may be used to treat heartburn, stomach ulcers, and reflux disease. It can also help ameliorate symptoms of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, a rare digestive disorder that results in the overproduction of acid in the stomach. Famotidine has been shown to prevent ulcers in the stomach and intestines.
Famotidine may also be useful in treating gastroesophageal disease (GERD), a condition where stomach acid washes back up into the esophagus.
How Does Famotidine Work?
Famotidine works by blocking and disabling the histamine 2 (H2) receptor in your stomach. Histamine 2 receptors are integral membrane proteins that stimulate gastric acid secretion.
By blocking the H2 receptor, famotidine lowers the amount of acid released in the stomach.
Famotidine Dosage
Famotidine is available as a tablet and oral solution. It is important to take famotidine under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Your dosage of famotidine may depend on a number of things including:
- Your age
- Your weight
- How severe your condition is
- Strength of famotidine
- Number of doses per day
Dosage For Erosive Esophagitis (Heartburn)
Adults and children weighing 40kg or more: 20 mg one or two times a day, or 40 mg once a day.
Dosage For Stomach Ulcers
Adults and children weighing 40kg or more: 20 mg twice a day, or 40 mg once a day.
Dosage For Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Adults: 20 mg every six hours
Children: Use and dosage must be determined by a doctor
Dosage to Prevent an Ulcer From Coming Back
Adults: 20 mg once a day
Children: Use and dosage must be determined by a doctor
Famotidine Side Effects
Famotidine may cause side effects. Some side effects are more common and serious than others.
Common Side Effects
Common side effects of famotidine may include the following:
- Anxiety
- Blistering
- Difficulty breathing
- Discouragement
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Feeling sad or empty
- Diarrhea
Serious Side Effects
- Sore throat
- Vomiting of blood
- Stomach pain
- Ulcers
- Nausea
- Yellowing eyes or skin
- Joint or muscle pain
- Dark urine
- Blood in the urine or stools
- Swollen glands
- Hives, itching, and skin rash
Disclaimer: Our goal at ManifestRX is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects.
Famotidine Interactions
Famotidine can cause interactions if taken in conjunction with other medications, particularly other proton pump inhibitors.
Interaction With Other Medications
Some products and medications require an abundance of acid in the stomach to work properly. Famotidine decreases stomach acid, so it may not interact well with medications like delavirdine, dasatinib, pazopanib, and atazanavir.
Proton Pump Inhibitor Interaction
Do not take famotidine in conjunction with any proton pump inhibitor. Doing so can cause serious side effects and, in some cases, death.
Famotidine Uses, Brand Name, Dosage, Side Effects & Interactions Summary
Famotidine is a H-2 blocker used to prevent and treat ulcers in the stomach and intestines. It can also treat Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome and gastroesophageal disease.
Famotidine works by blocking integral membrane proteins which stimulate gastric acid secretion.
