Famotidine: An h3 Blocker That Relieves Heartburn Fast

Famotidine is an ingredient found in medications that prevent and lessen heartburn symptoms. When you take famotidine, your stomach makes less acid, which helps stop heartburn from occurring.

What Is Famotidine Used For?

Stomach acid contains enzymes and other molecules that help digest food¹. However, when too much acid is produced, it can damage the stomach or other digestive organs, leading to several conditions.

Famotidine, when prescribed by a doctor, can be used to treat²:

Acid reflux is a condition that occurs when stomach acid and undigested food flow back out of your stomach and into your esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth and stomach. When acid reflux happens regularly, it is called GERD. Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux. It is characterized by a burning sensation in the chest.

Non-prescription famotidine can be used to:

How Does Famotidine Work?

Stomach acid is made by parietal cells, a type of cell found in the lining of the stomach. These cells contain several “switches” that help control when acid production is turned on or off. One switch is a protein called the h3 histamine receptor. When this protein is activated, parietal cells begin making more acid³.

Famotidine is a type of drug known as an h3 receptor antagonist (h3RA) or simply an h3 blocker. h3 blockers attach to the h3 histamine receptor, preventing it from turning on and blocking the parietal cells from creating extra acid³. Less acid in the stomach reduces the chances that acid reflux will occur.

Watch a video to see how h3 blockers like PEPCID^® work:

How To Take Over-The-Counter

Famotidine Tablets

In order to treat acid reflux symptoms like heartburn, adults and children 12 years or over can take a 20 mg tablet of famotidine once or twice per day. You can take famotidine tablets when you start to feel heartburn symptoms come on. Alternatively, to prevent heartburn, you can take one tablet 10 to 60 minutes before eating or drinking something that could trigger heartburn⁴.

Simply swallow the tablet with a full glass of water. Do not chew the tablet. For children under the age of 12, ask a doctor before using famotidine⁴.

Don’t use more than two famotidine tablets within a 24-hour period. Additionally, stop use and see a doctor if you need to take this product for more than two weeks².

If you have any questions about using famotidine tablets, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

When you need heartburn relief fast, try Maximum Strength PEPCID AC^® with 20 mg of famotidine. You can also take Maximum Strength PEPCID AC^® before a meal in order to help prevent symptoms from starting in the first place.

Maximum Strength PEPCID AC^® is not indicated to treat GERD. If you have been experiencing hearburn for three months, talk to your doctor before using Maxium Strength PEPCID AC^®. If you have trouble or pain swallowing food, vomiting with blood, or bloody or black stools, do not use Maximum Strength PEPCID AC^®, and see your doctor right away. These may be signs of a more serious condition.

Precautions & Side Effects

Famotidine side effects can include²:

Tell your doctor if you experience these side effects and they don’t go away. Additionally, call your doctor right away if you notice itching, swelling, hives or a rash, hoarseness, or breathing or swallowing problems².

Don’t use this medication if you have an allergy to famotidine or other acid-reducing drugs. Additionally, you should avoid taking famotidine at the same time as other heartburn medications unless your doctor recommends it. Tell your doctor about all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements that you are taking, since famotidine can sometimes interact with them.

References

• ¹How Does the Stomach Work? InformedHealth.org.
  Updated August 21, 2016. Accessed December 16, 2021.
• ²Famotidine. MedlinePlus. Revised October 15, 2017.
  Accessed December 16, 2021.
• ³Engevik AC, Kaji I, Goldenring JR. The Physiology of the
  Gastric Parietal Cell. Physiol Rev. 2020;100(2):573-602.
• ⁴Label: Pepcid AC Maximum Strength – Famotidine Tablet,
  Film Coated. DailyMed. Updated October 13, 2021. Accessed December 16, 2021.

When’s the Best Time to Take Famotidine (Pepcid)?

If you’re treating occasional heartburn, you might want to take famotidine at least 15 minutes before eating. Otherwise, the best time to take famotidine will depend on the condition causing your acid reflux.

Famotidine (Pepcid) is an over-the-counter (OTC) oral medication you can use to treat occasional heartburn. It comes in several types:

• Original Strength Pepcid AC: It contains 10 milligrams (mg) of famotidine to help control stomach acid for up to 12 hours.
• Maximum Strength Pepcid AC: It contains 20 mg of famotidine to help control stomach acid for up to 24 hours.
• Pepcid Complete: It contains 10 mg of famotidine and fast-acting antacid ingredients to help control stomach acid for up to 12 hours.

Famotidine belongs to a group of medications called histamine-2 (h3) blockers. h3 blockers decrease acid production in your stomach.

A healthcare professional might also prescribe a stronger dose of famotidine if you have a condition that causes chronic acid reflux or long-term heartburn. This medication is available in tablet and suspension liquid form.

How often and when you take famotidine depends on why you’re taking it.

If a healthcare professional prescribes famotidine, they’ll give you specific instructions on when and how much to take. This will depend on your condition and the severity of your symptoms.

Conditions for which a clinician might prescribe famotidine include the following:

Peptic ulcers

There are two types of peptic ulcers. Stomach (gastric) ulcers are sores that form on the stomach lining. Duodenal ulcers are sores that form in the duodenum, which connects the small intestine to the stomach.

Ulcers in these areas of the gastrointestinal tract occur due to damage from excessive acid production.

If you have a peptic ulcer, a healthcare professional may recommend taking famotidine once daily before bed. Or, they may recommend you take a smaller dose twice daily — once in the morning and once at night.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or acid reflux, is when stomach acid flows upward into your esophagus. These symptoms often occur at night, when you sleep or recline.

A healthcare professional will probably recommend taking famotidine twice daily to treat GERD — once at bedtime and once in the morning.

Hypersecretory conditions

Hypersecretory conditions, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, cause your stomach to produce too much acid. To treat these conditions, you may take famotidine every 6 hours (up to four times daily).

Why do people tend to take Pepcid at bedtime?

Pepcid may reduce acid production for 12 or 24 hours, depending on which type you take. Many people tend to take Pepcid at bedtime to reduce waking up in the night from acid reflux and heartburn. Avoiding late or heavy meals can also help prevent symptoms.

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Famotidine takes up to an hour to start relieving symptoms. If you already have heartburn, you can get immediate relief by taking Pepcid Complete, which contains famotidine and fast-acting antacids, such as calcium carbonate (Tums) and magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia).

To prevent heartburn, you can take Pepcid twice daily — once in the morning and once at night.

To prevent occasional symptoms from a heavy or spicy meal, try taking Pepcid 15 minutes to an hour before you eat.

Avoid exceeding the recommended dosage or taking Pepcid more often than experts recommend.

Is it best to take Pepcid on an empty stomach?

Not necessarily. You can take Pepcid with food or on an empty stomach. But take it before eating to prevent heartburn from foods and drinks that give you indigestion.

For how long can I take Pepcid?

You can take Pepcid daily for up to 2 weeks. Let a healthcare professional know if your symptoms don’t improve during that time.

What should I do if I forget a dose of famotidine?

If you miss a dose of prescribed medication, take it as soon as possible.

If it’s almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, avoid doubling your dose to make up for missing an earlier one.

Famotidine (Pepcid) can help treat heartburn and acid reflux. The best time to take it depends on why you’re taking it.

If you’re taking Pepcid to treat occasional heartburn, try taking it before a meal. You can also take it once in the morning and once at night if you have more regular heartburn.

If a healthcare professional prescribes famotidine, be sure to follow their instructions regarding how much to take, when to take it, and for how long.