What is famotidine used for? Famotidine is a popular medication that can treat acid reflux, heartburn, and other digestive issues. Discover how it works, how to take it, and the potential side effects.

The Versatile Role of Famotidine: Relieving Heartburn and Treating Digestive Conditions

Famotidine is a widely-recognized ingredient found in medications that effectively prevent and alleviate heartburn symptoms. When you take famotidine, your stomach produces less acid, which helps to stop heartburn from occurring. But what exactly is famotidine, and how does it work to provide relief for a variety of digestive issues?

What is Famotidine Used For?

Stomach acid contains enzymes and other molecules that play a crucial role in the digestive process1. However, excessive acid production can damage the stomach or other digestive organs, leading to various conditions. Famotidine, when prescribed by a healthcare provider, can be used to treat:

• Acid reflux: A condition where stomach acid and undigested food flow back from the stomach into the esophagus, the tube connecting the mouth and stomach. Chronic acid reflux is known as GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).
• Heartburn: A symptom of acid reflux characterized by a burning sensation in the chest.
• Peptic ulcers: Sores in the lining of the stomach or small intestine, often caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori or certain medications.
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: A rare condition where the stomach produces excessive amounts of acid, leading to severe peptic ulcers.

Over-the-counter famotidine can be used to provide relief for occasional heartburn and acid reflux.

How Does Famotidine Work?

Stomach acid is produced by parietal cells, a specialized 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 of these switches is a protein called the h3 histamine receptor. When this protein is activated, parietal cells begin producing more acid3.

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

How to Take Over-the-Counter Famotidine Tablets

To treat acid reflux symptoms like heartburn, adults and children 12 years or older 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 coming on. Alternatively, to help prevent heartburn, you can take one tablet 10 to 60 minutes before eating or drinking something that could trigger it4.

When taking famotidine tablets, simply swallow the tablet with a full glass of water. Do not chew the tablet. For children under the age of 12, it’s best to consult a doctor before using famotidine4.

Precautions and Side Effects of Famotidine

Potential side effects of famotidine may include2:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Nausea

If you experience any of these side effects and they don’t go away, or if you notice more serious symptoms like itching, swelling, hives, rash, hoarseness, or breathing/swallowing problems, contact your doctor right away2.

You should avoid using famotidine if you have an allergy to the drug or other acid-reducing medications. Additionally, it’s important to inform your doctor about all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements you are taking, as famotidine can potentially interact with them.

The Benefits of PEPCID® for Heartburn Relief

PEPCID® is the original brand that contains the active ingredient famotidine. As a trusted h3 blocker, PEPCID® provides fast and effective relief for occasional heartburn. Both the original and Maximum Strength PEPCID AC® formulas can relieve heartburn in minutes*, while PEPCID COMPLETE® is a dual-action antacid and acid reducer that starts working within seconds.

PEPCID® is the #1 doctor and pharmacist-recommended OTC acid reducer brand for many reasons, including its ability to provide fast-acting and long-lasting heartburn relief.

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.

WHAT IS PEPCID®? | PEPCID®

PEPCID® is the original brand with the active ingredient famotidine which is a histamine-2 blocker (h3 blocker) that provides relief for occasional heartburn.

PEPCID® Is The #1 Doctor And Pharmacist Recommended Choice

BY DOCTORS
IQVIA Survey 2021

BY GASTROENTEROLOGISTS
IQVIA Survey 2021

BY PHARMACISTS
U.S. News Survey 2021

PEPCID® is the #1 Doctor Recommended OTC Acid Reducer Brand for many reasons:

• It provides fast heartburn relief:
  • Original and Maximum Strength PEPCID AC® relieve heartburn in minutes*
  • PEPCID COMPLETE® is a dual-action antacid & acid reducer that starts working in seconds
• It provides long-lasting acid control^†: controls acid all day or all night (for up to 12 hours)
• It can prevent heartburn before it starts^‡
• PEPCID® has been evaluated in 50+ clinical studies and is backed by pioneering research
• The original famotidine brand made available directly to consumers is backed by 35 years of expertise
• It does not contain ranitidine, which FDA had requested manufacturers withdraw from market in 2019

*Begins to work in 15 to 30 minutes.
^†Based on 9-hour acid control studies during the day and 12-hour acid control studies during the night. Acid control does not imply symptom relief.
^‡PEPCID AC® and Maximum Strength PEPCID AC® can prevent heartburn when taken 15 to 60 minutes before a meal.

What Is Famotidine?

Famotidine is a histamine-2 blocker. It works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces by blocking the histamine receptors in your stomach responsible for triggering acid production.

Is PEPCID® Safe?

PEPCID® is the original famotidine brand and, for 35 years, has been effective and safe acid reducer when used as directed. PEPCID® is clinically proven to provide heartburn relief and is backed by 50+ clinical studies. PEPCID® is the #1 doctor recommended OTC acid reducer brand in the market.

Figure Out Which PEPCID® Product Is Best For You

PEPCID® offers three main products that provide relief of occasional heartburn that you can take whenever you need. Original Strength PEPCID AC® and Maximum Strength PEPCID AC® contain an h3 blocker that begins to work in 15-30 minutes and helps control acid all day or all night.* PEPCID COMPLETE® combines an h3 blocker with an antacid that starts neutralizing acid in your stomach in seconds, so it works even faster. Because the faster it starts relieving heartburn, the better. PEPCID® is an FDA approved, safe and effective remedy to relieve symptoms of occasional heartburn when used as directed.

^*Based on 9-hour acid control studies during the day and 12-hour acid control studies during the night. Acid control does not imply symptom relief.

Famotidine 10mg

(Acid Reducer)

Famotidine 20mg

(Acid Reducer)

Famotidine 10mg

(Acid Reducer)

Calcium Carbonate 800mg

(Antacid)

Magnesium Hydroxide 165mg

(Antacid)

Famotidine 10mg

(Acid Reducer)

Calcium Carbonate 800mg

(Antacid)

Magnesium Hydroxide 165mg

(Antacid)

Starts to work in minutes¹

Starts to work in minutes¹

Starts to work in seconds²

Starts to work in seconds²

³

⁴

1 tablet

1 tablet

1 chewable tablet

1 chewable tablet

When you need to prevent and treat heartburn within minutes^{1, 3}

When you need a powerful remedy to prevent and treat tough heartburn symptoms

When you need a dual-action formula that goes further than an antacid alone to provide
quick relief in a flavored chewable tablet

When you need the same quick relief of PEPCID COMPLETE® chewables, but in a
convenient, on-the-go size

Our Heartburn Relief Products

PEPCID COMPLETE® Chewable Tablet with Famotidine & Antacids

Original Strength PEPCID AC® Tablets with Famotidine

Maximum Strength PEPCID AC® Tablets with Famotidine

PEPCID COMPLETE® ON-THE-GO Chewable Tablet with Famotidine & Antacids

SEE WHY PEPCID® COULD WORK FOR YOU

h3 Blocker vs.