Famotidine(fa moe’ ti deen)
Apo-Famotidine (CAN), Apo-Famotidine Injectable (CAN), Gen-Famotidine (CAN), Nu-Famotidine (CAN), Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength, Pepcid RPD
PREGNANCY CATEGORY B
Drug Class
Histamine-2 (H2) receptor antagonist
Therapeutic Actions
Competitively blocks the action of histamine at the H2 receptors of the parietal cells of the stomach; inhibits basal gastric acid secretion and chemically induced gastric acid secretion.
Indications
Short-term treatment and maintenance of duodenal ulcer
Short-term treatment of benign gastric ulcer
Treatment of pathologic hypersecretory conditions (eg, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)
Short-term treatment of GERD, esophagitis due to GERD
OTC: Relief of symptoms of heartburn, acid indigestion, sour stomach
Unlabeled uses: Part of combination therapy for Helicobacter pylori, perioperative suppression of gastric acid secretion, prevention of stress ulcers, prevention of aspiration pneumonitis, treatment of certain types of urticaria
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with allergy to famotidine; other known allergies (cross-sensitivities have been observed); renal failure; lactation.
Use cautiously with pregnancy, renal or hepatic impairment.
Available Forms
Tablets—10, 20, 40 mg; chewable tablets—10 mg; orally disintegrating tablets—20, 40 mg; gelcaps—10 mg; powder for oral suspension—40 mg/5 mL; injection—10 mg/mL; injection, premixed—0.4 mg/mL in 0.9% sodium chloride
Dosages
Adults
Acute treatment of active duodenal ulcer: 40 mg PO or IV at bedtime or 20 mg bid PO or IV. Therapy at full dosage should generally be discontinued after 6–8 wk. May be used with antacids for pain relief.
Maintenance therapy for duodenal ulcer: 20 mg PO at bedtime.
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