How to use Heartburn Relief (Famotidine) 20 Mg Tablet
Take thismedicationbymouthwith or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once or twice daily. If you are taking this medication once daily, it is usually taken right beforebedtime.
The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to therapy. In children, dosage may also be based onbody weight. You may take othermedications(such as antacids) for your condition as recommended by your doctor. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Consult your doctor orpharmacistif you have any questions.
Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day. Do not increase your dose or take it more often than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medication without your doctor's approval because this may delay healing of the ulcer.
If you are using nonprescriptionfamotidinefor self-treatment of acidindigestionorheartburn, take 1 tablet bymouthwith a glass of water as needed. To preventheartburn, take 1 tablet bymouthwith a glass of water 15-60 minutes before eating food or drinking beverages thatcause heartburn. Do not use more than 2 tablets in 24 hours unless directed by your doctor. Do not take for more than 14 days in a row without talking with your doctor.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
Side Effects
Headache,constipation, ordiarrheamay occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor orpharmacistpromptly.
If your doctor has directed you to use thismedication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: easy bruising/bleeding, signs of infection (such assore throatthat doesn't go away, fever, chills), mental/mood changes (such as restlessness, confusion,depression,hallucinations).
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, severedizziness,fainting,seizure.
A very seriousallergic reactionto this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a seriousallergic reaction, including:rash,itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness,trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions
Before takingfamotidine, tell your doctor orpharmacistif you are allergic to it; or to other H2 blockers (such ascimetidine,ranitidine); or if you have any otherallergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using thismedication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:immune systemproblems,kidneyproblems,liver problems,lung problems(such asasthma,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), otherstomach problems(such as tumors).
Some symptoms may actually be signs of a more serious condition. Get medical help right away if you have:heartburnwithlightheadedness/sweating/dizziness, chest/jaw/arm/shoulder pain(especially with shortness of breath, unusualsweating), unexplainedweight loss.
In addition, before you self-treat with this medication, get medical help right away if you have any of these signs of a serious condition: trouble/pain swallowing food, bloody vomit, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, bloody/black stools,heartburnfor over 3 months, frequentchest pain, frequentwheezing(especially with heartburn),nausea/vomiting,stomach pain.
Do not use to treat children younger than 12 unless directed by the doctor.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially mental/mood changes (such as confusion),seizure, or unusual tiredness.
During pregnancy, famotidine should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
This drug passes intobreastmilk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Consult your pharmacist or physician.
Interactions
Drug interactionsmay change how yourmedicationswork or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor andpharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products needstomachacid so that the body can absorb them properly.Famotidinedecreasesstomachacid, so it may change how well these products work. Some affected products includeatazanavir,dasatinib, certain azole antifungals (such asitraconazole,ketoconazole), levoketoconazole, pazopanib, sparsentan, among others.
Do not take thismedicationwith other products that contain famotidine or other H2 blockers (cimetidine, nizatidine,ranitidine).
Does Heartburn Relief (Famotidine) 20 Mg Tablet interact with other drugs you are taking?
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Overdose
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out ortrouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
Notes
Do not share thismedicationwith others.
Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, stoppingsmoking, limiting alcohol, and diet changes (such as avoidingcaffeineand certain spices) may help this medication work better. Talk to your doctor orpharmacistabout lifestyle changes that might benefit you.
Lab and/or medical tests (such asendoscopy,kidneyfunction) may be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep allmedicationsaway from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult yourpharmacistor local waste disposal company.
Images
Heartburn Relief (famotidine) 20 mg tablet
Color: whiteShape: roundImprint: L194
This medicine is a white, round, film-coated, tablet imprinted with "L194".
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FAQs
What are the warnings for famotidine? ›
Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: confusion, delirium, hallucinations, disorientation, agitation, seizures, or unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness. These are more likely to occur if you are older or if you have a kidney disease.
What are the side effects of Webmd famotidine? ›Headache, constipation, or diarrhea may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
What to avoid when taking famotidine? ›Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase the risk of damage to your stomach. Avoid taking other stomach acid reducers unless your doctor has told you to.
Does famotidine interact with anything? ›There are 291 drugs known to interact with famotidine, along with 2 disease interactions, and 1 alcohol/food interaction. Of the total drug interactions, 12 are major, 240 are moderate, and 39 are minor.
Is famotidine bad for heart? ›It's possible to develop heart palpitations from taking famotidine, although this side effect didn't occur often in studies. Symptoms of heart palpitations include: feeling like your heart is fluttering or has skipped a beat. fast heart rate.
Can famotidine affect kidneys? ›Thus, famotidine does not affect creatinine-dependent measurements of renal function and is unlikely to alter the renal elimination of basic drugs.
What are the worse side effects of famotidine? ›Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: confusion, delirium, hallucinations, disorientation, agitation, seizures, or unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness. These are more likely to occur if you are older or if you have a kidney disease.
Does famotidine elevate blood pressure? ›In impedance cardiography stroke volume and cardiac output were significantly reduced by famotidine. Heart rate and blood pressure values were not altered by the H2-antagonist.
Is it okay to take famotidine everyday? ›You can take up to two doses of famotidine complete (Pepcid Complete) per day, but you shouldn't use it for more than 14 days at a time.
What is the safest medication for acid reflux? ›Antacids are among the safest drugs for acid reflux and side effects are rare. Depending on the antacid's ingredients, side effects may include diarrhea, constipation, calcium loss and kidney stones.
Which is safer omeprazole or famotidine? ›
Which is safer, omeprazole or famotidine? Both omeprazole and famotidine are generally safe medications with short-term use as long as you follow the prescribed instructions. In general, famotidine tends to cause fewer short-term side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach upset.
Can famotidine cause liver issues? ›Rare instances of clinically apparent liver injury have been reported in patients receiving famotidine, but few cases have been reported and clinical characteristics in published cases have varied in the time to onset and pattern of injury.
What happens if I take famotidine with food? ›Famotidine can be taken with or without food. To prevent heartburn and acid indigestion, take famotidine 15-60 minutes before eating food or drinking beverages that can cause indigestion. Do not take more than 2 tablets in 24 hours unless directed by your doctor. Follow all directions on the product package.
What does famotidine do for your stomach? ›Over-the-counter famotidine is used to prevent and treat heartburn due to acid indigestion and sour stomach caused by eating or drinking certain foods or drinks. Famotidine is in a class of medications called H2 blockers. It works by decreasing the amount of acid made in the stomach.
Is weight gain a side effect of famotidine? ›Is weight gain a side effect of famotidine? No, weight gain wasn't reported as a side effect of famotidine treatment. Using a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drug to treat heartburn or acid reflux may cause weight gain. But famotidine isn't a PPI drug.
What is a serious side effect of famotidine? ›Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: confusion, delirium, hallucinations, disorientation, agitation, seizures, or unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness. These are more likely to occur if you are older or if you have a kidney disease.
Is famotidine still recalled? ›SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) has determined that PEPCID (famotidine) tablet, 20 milligrams (mg) and 40 mg, was not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness.